Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve

Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House

Historic Structure Report

March 2010

for

Cultural Resources Division

Southeast Region, National Park Service

by

Joseph K. Oppermann - Architect, P.A.

Winston-Salem, NC 
Cultural Resources

Southeast Region

National Park Service

100 Alabama St. SW

Atlanta, GA 30303

(404) 507-5847

The historic structure report presented here exists in 

two formats. A traditional, printed version is available 

for study at the park, the Southeastern Regional 

Office of the NPS (SERO), and at a variety of other 

repositories. For more widespread access, the historic 

structure report also exists in a web-based format 

through ParkNet, the website of the National Park 

Service. Please visit www.nps.gov for more 

information.

2010

Historic Structure Report

Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House

Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve

LCS#: 663051

Cover image: Photograph of the Broward House 

taken between 1910 and 1918. Courtesy of Mary 

Broward Weisenburgh, granddaughter of 

Governor Broward.
Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve

Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House

Historic Structure Report

2010

National Park Service v

We are pleased to make available this historic structure report on the Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House 

as part of our ongoing effort to provide comprehensive documentation for the historic structures and 

landscapes of National Park Service units in the Southeast Region. In addition to the Project Team that 

prepared the report, a number of individuals contributed to this work, but we would particularly like to 

thank the staff at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve for their assistance throughout the process, 

especially John Whitehurst. Important photographs, documents, and lengthy interviews were provided by 

three granddaughters of Governor Broward: Mary Broward Weisenburgh, Elizabeth Broward Calhoun, 

and Elsie Broward Kienast, sisters who grew up in the house. Our thanks go also to former owner Karl A. 

Zillgitt for his numerous phone conversations about his renovations to the house, and to Joel McEachin of 

the Jacksonville Planning Department’s Historic Preservation Office, who was particularly helpful in 

providing access to city records.

We hope that this study of the Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House will prove valuable to park 

management in ongoing efforts to preserve the building and to everyone in understanding and interpreting 

this unique resource.

Dan Scheidt, Chief

Cultural Resources Division

Southeast Regional Office

April 2010

Foreword
vi Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR
National Park Service A 

 Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Management Summary

Project Team ................................................................................................................................................... 1

Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 3

Administrative Data ..................................................................................................................................... 7

Part I - Developmental History

A. Historical Background and Context .................................................................................................... 9

Early Settlements ...................................................................................................................... 9

British Occupation ................................................................................................................. 10

Fort George Island ................................................................................................................. 10

The St. Johns River and its Ever-Shifting Bar ..................................................................... 11

Bar Pilots ................................................................................................................................. 11

The Tourists Arrive ................................................................................................................. 11

Fort George Island: Winter in a Summer Land .................................................................. 12

1880s Expansion .................................................................................................................... 14

And the 1888 Demise ............................................................................................................. 15

The Florida Land Boom of the 1920s .................................................................................. 15

A Road to Fort George .......................................................................................................... 16

August Heckscher .................................................................................................................. 17

The Broward House is Built .................................................................................................. 17

Napoleon Bonaparte Broward ............................................................................................. 18

B. Chronology of Development and Use .............................................................................................. 21

1878: The House that Gilbert Built ...................................................................................... 21

1897: The Broward Ownership ............................................................................................ 22

Early Changes ......................................................................................................................... 24

The 1920s ................................................................................................................................ 25

The 1930s ................................................................................................................................ 27

The 1940s ................................................................................................................................ 27

A Year-round House .............................................................................................................. 27

Changes of the 1950s and 1960s ........................................................................................... 28

Changes of the 1970s and 1980s ........................................................................................... 30

1996: The House Leaves the Family ..................................................................................... 32

2004: The Park Service .......................................................................................................... 35

Timeline ................................................................................................................................................. 37

i
A Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

C. Physical Description ............................................................................................................................ 43

General Description .............................................................................................................. 43

Site ...................................................................................................................... 43

Exterior .............................................................................................................. 44

Interior Organization ....................................................................................... 45

Construction Characteristics ................................................................................................ 46

Structural Systems ............................................................................................ 46

Utility Systems .................................................................................................. 49

Exterior Features .............................................................................................. 50

Common Early Design Elements ......................................................................................... 57

Common Added Design Elements ...................................................................................... 58

Description By Room ............................................................................................................ 59

Historic Paints and Finishes ................................................................................................. 85

Character-Defi ning Features ................................................................................................ 86

Physical Conditions ............................................................................................................... 87

Part II - Treatment & Use ......................................................................................................89

A. Ultimate Treatment & Use .................................................................................................................. 89

B. Requirements for Treatment ............................................................................................................... 93

C. Alternatives for Treatment .................................................................................................................. 95

D. Recommendations ............................................................................................................................... 97

Appendices

A. Documentation Drawings: As-Found

Foundation Plan ...................................................................................................................A-1

First Floor Plan .....................................................................................................................A-2

Second Floor Plan ................................................................................................................A-3

Attic Plan ...............................................................................................................................A-4

Widow’s Walk Plan ..............................................................................................................A-5

Details: Interior Door First Floor (Original) ....................................................................A-6

Details: Front Door (Original) ............................................................................................A-7

Details: Interior Door Casing (Original), Interior Window Apron (Original), 

Front Door Transom Bar (Original) ....................................................................A-8

Details: First-Floor East Rooms Cornice (Original), Stair Hall Balustrade 

Cap (Original), First-Floor Baseboard with Cap (Original) .............................A-9

Details: Porch Balustrade, Fence Post .............................................................................A-10

Details: Exterior Weatherboard (Original), Second-Floor Porch Ceiling 

Beadboard (Original), Porch Trim .....................................................................A-11

Details: Roof Bracket, Cupola Bracket ............................................................................A-12

Details: Shutter First-Floor East Elevation (1996-2003), 

Board-and-Batten Shutter ..................................................................................A-13

Details: Shutter in Attic (Assumed Original) ..................................................................A-14

Details: Muntins .................................................................................................................A-15

B. Finishes Analysis

C. Chain of Title

Bibliography

ii
National Park Service A 

 Table of Contents

Project Team

Building Investigation/ Joseph K. Oppermann, FAIA, Historical Architect

Building Condition Assessment Laura A. Burghardt 

 Joseph K. Oppermann–Architect, P.A.

 Winston-Salem, NC

Research Joseph K. Oppermann, FAIA, Historical Architect

 Langdon E. Oppermann, Architectural Historian

 Laura A. Burghardt

 Joseph K. Oppermann–Architect, P.A.

 Winston-Salem, NC

Building Recordation Joseph K. Oppermann, FAIA, Historical Architect

 Laura A. Burghardt 

 Rebecca L. McCormick 

 Joseph K. Oppermann–Architect, P.A.

 Winston-Salem, NC

Finishes Analysis Dorothy S. Krotzer

 Marlene Goeke

 Building Conservation Associates, Inc.

 Philadelphia, PA

Project Manager Tommy H. Jones, Cultural Resource Specialist

 National Park Service

 Southeast Regional Offi ce

 Atlanta, GA

Program Review John Whitehurst, Cultural Resource Specialist

 Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve

 Jacksonville, FL

 

Tommy H. Jones, Cultural Resource Specialist 

 National Park Service

 Southeast Regional Offi ce

 Atlanta, GA

Project Team

1
A Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR
National Park Service 3 

The Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House on 

Batten Island is named for its most famous owner. 

By every measure he was a self-made man who 

overcame enormous odds in a meteoric and 

quite colorful rise to national prominence. He 

was orphaned at 10. As a young man he became 

a river pilot and attracted notice as a gunrunner 

for the rebels in Cuba. His political career began 

in 1895 when he was elected to the Jacksonville 

City Council and the same year built a fi ne house 

for his family in the city. Two years later he 

acquired this summer house on the St. Johns River 

northeast of town. In 1900 he was elected to the 

Florida House of Representatives and in 1904 was 

elected governor. In 1910 he was elected to the 

United States Senate, but died before taking offi ce. 

Governor Broward’s family retained the house 

until the 1990s.

Little is known about either the initial construction 

of this house or the persons involved. The area 

where the house is located was known in the last 

half of the nineteenth century as Pilot Town. It was 

a community inhabited mostly by harbor pilots, 

sea captains who made their living bringing ships 

through the notoriously treacherous currents 

nearby where the St. Johns River meets the Atlantic 

Ocean. By the last quarter of the century there 

were others who came here, mostly wealthy 

northerners, to enjoy the mild climate and stunning 

coastal scenery. 

The Gilberts were likely one such family. Real 

estate documents indicate the parcel of land where 

the house stands was purchased in 1877 by a Laura 

Gilbert. Other documents reference her husband, 

Jonathan Gilbert. Secondary sources refer to 

Jonathan as Dr. Gilbert, sometimes as a dentist 

and other times as a doctor. Local tradition holds 

that the Gilberts began construction of their house 

about 1878, and were from New York or from “up 

north.” But little else is known about them.

The house on the St. Johns River was probably 

intended to be a vacation house from the very 

beginning. The house faces east-southeast 

towards the river. The dangerous shoals are in 

view beyond. (For the purpose of this report, the 

Executive Summary

direction is described as east.) Initially, and well 

into the twentieth century, access to the site was 

only by boat. 

The Main Block of the house is largely as initially 

constructed. It is roughly square in plan, raised 

above grade on brick piers. The wood frame 

structure rises two stories in height, covered on 

the exterior with weatherboard siding. Along the 

main or east elevation is a double-gallery porch 

spanning the full width of the house at both levels. 

Fenestration along this elevation is organized 

symmetrically, the doorway at the center, one at 

each level. Along each side elevation, fenestration 

is organized less symmetrically, a diff erent 

confi guration on each side. At the rear elevation, 

there are two windows at the second fl oor, one 

at the center and a second to its north. An open 

cupola sits atop the deck-hipped roof. The roof 

brackets of both the house and cupola are sawn, 

each in a distinct form. 

Internally, the Main Block remains largely as 

originally confi gured, with a center hall running 

from front to back on both the fi rst- and secondfl oor levels. A row of rooms opens off both sides 

of the hall at both levels. The original four-panel 

doors remain, opening off the hall into the rooms. 

The original ornate window surrounds match 

the door surrounds, the second-fl oor versions of 

both being slightly shorter than their fi rst-fl oor 

counterparts, and the second-fl oor ceiling heights 

being shorter. Similarly, the same ornate original 

baseboard is found at both fl oor levels; the secondfl oor version, again, slightly shorter. Doors, 

window sash, baseboards and door and window 

surrounds are painted. The fl ooring is varnished 

pine. Walls and ceilings are painted plaster with 

some modern gypsum wall boards. Matching 

original fi replace mantels remain in the two front 

rooms of both levels. The original decorative 

plaster ceiling cornice adorns the two front fi rstfl oor rooms. 

In addition to the Main Block, there initially was a 

one-story ell off the back, extending west along the 

north side of the Main Block. Like the Main Block, 

the Ell has a wood frame and is set on brick piers. 

Executive Summary
4 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Beneath the current weatherboard on the north 

and west elevations, 31⁄2 "-wide fl ush-board tongueand-groove siding applied horizontally can be seen; 

whether it is the original siding is unconfi rmed. 

The Ell now forms the north portion of a rear onestory shed-roof enclosure that extends across the 

entire back or west elevation of the Main Block. 

The Ell section contains a kitchen as it has since the 

early twentieth century, if not originally; it is now 

a modern version remodeled some ten years ago. 

The remainder of the Rear Shed is a large room 

that served as a living room during the Broward 

family’s ownership.

The construction of this west shed addition 

with incorporation of the original Ell constitutes 

the second major manifestation of form for the 

Broward House. When it occurred is not entirely 

clear. There are no early accounts of construction, 

and legal papers that may have addressed the 

event were lost when the county courthouse 

burned in 1901. A single photograph taken from 

the southeast shows the addition in place; by the 

clothing of the people in the image, the photograph 

has been dated between 1910 and 1918. This 

time frame suggests the Rear Shed was probably in 

place during Broward’s occupancy, an important 

consideration for interpretation of the property. 

The chances for more precise dating through 

ground archaeology are few at best; the site was 

largely disturbed in 2004 when contaminated soil 

was removed at a depth of about one foot all along 

the house. The prospects for gaining information 

from building archaeology are more promising, 

though beyond the scope of this report. However, 

the framing and fi nish material of this rear shed 

has been largely reworked in recent years and a 

conclusive determination of its historic evolution 

will likely require removal of building fabric.

After the death of Napoleon Bonaparte Broward in 

1910, his widow and children continued to use this 

place as a vacation house. At some point, probably 

in the late 1920s during the creation of Heckscher 

Drive and associated grade raising, the front fi rstfl oor porch was extended forward and to the sides 

and screened to create a large warm-weather family 

room. This was the third major manifestation 

of house form. This new porch confi guration 

remained until 1996 when the house was sold 

outside the family to Karl and Tracy Zillgitt who 

made it their principal residence. By this time, the 

house was in need of much maintenance work and 

from 1996 through 2003 the Zillgitts conducted 

extensive repairs, striving to replace in kind the 

many historic features that had deteriorated. In 

making repairs they sought to return the house 

to an appearance more closely aligned with the 

house that Broward had known. They also made 

accommodations for modern living. They removed 

the expanded front porch and rebuilt to match 

the original design; they installed a new kitchen 

where an earlier one had been in the Ell, and; they 

respected the early fl oor plan when installing two 

bathrooms where once had been a secondary 

bedroom. Their eff orts saved the house from 

escalating deterioration, reestablished the earlier 

building form that probably dates to the Broward 

era, and sensitively integrated modern amenities 

into the historic building plan, providing greater 

fl exibility in reuse. This is the house as it appears 

today.

The General Management Plan (GMP) for 

Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve 

predates the acquisition of the Napoleon 

Bonaparte Broward House property. Therefore, 

stewardship of the property is not discussed in 

the GMP. However, it is clear that the primary 

signifi cance of the property is its association with 

Napoleon Bonaparte Broward. His occupancy 

here from 1897 until 1910, then, is the house’s 

period of primary signifi cance.

Interpretation of this site and house, as well as 

their potential for reuse, have been markedly 

compromised by the dry dock building constructed 

immediately in front on the bank of the St. Johns 

River. This enormous box-like structure not only 

blocks the view of the river and Atlantic beyond 

but its presence dwarfs the island’s vegetation 

and neighboring structures. For a community 

that prides itself on its natural scenic beauty, this 

building can only be categorized as an eyesore. 

The negative impact on the aesthetic character 

of the community undoubtedly damages other 

aspects of community life as well.

During preparation of this report, additional 

documentation and physical evidence have come 

to light confi rming that some reconstructed 

features actually date to the period after Governor 

Broward’s occupancy. Further, it is clear that some 

reconstructed features, while representative of 

the Broward era, are not as faithful reproductions 

as they could be nor are the materials always as 

durable as they might be. Future repair campaigns 

have the opportunity to address these conditions 

and in so doing improve the interpretation of the 

house as an artifact from the Broward occupancy.

It is also desirable to maintain the fl exibility to 

accommodate a variety of potential building 
National Park Service 5 

uses. The Rear Shed currently provides valuable 

amenities not found in the historic Main Block of 

the house. The Rear Shed has a modern kitchen 

that can provide warming and even small-scale 

cooking. It also has a large room, much larger 

than any other in the house, that can be used as a 

conference room or for larger gatherings.

Therefore, the Recommended Ultimate Treatment 

is to rehabilitate the exterior and interior of the 

Main Block, focusing on the inherent historic 

character, and to preserve the exterior and interior 

of the Rear Shed, utilizing its modern kitchen and 

large meeting room.
6 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR
National Park Service 7 

Administrative Data

Locational Data

Building Name: Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House

Building Address: 9953 Heckscher Drive

 Jacksonville, FL 32226

Location: Batten Island

County: Duval County

State: Florida

Related Studies

 Primary Broward papers, Smathers Library, University of Florida, Gainesville.

 Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission, Jacksonville Planning and 

 Development Department.

 Records of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve and Fort 

 Caroline National Memorial.

 Interviews with family and previous owners.

 Secondary Burnett, Gene M. Florida’s Past: People and Events that Shaped the State. 

 Sarasota: Pineapple Press, 1988.

 Proctor, Samuel. Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, Florida’s Fighting 

 Democrat. University Press of Florida, 1950. 1993 edition.

 Stowell, Daniel W. “Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve; 

 Historic Resource Study,” 1996.

Real Property Information

Acquisition Date: July 29, 2004

Numbering Information

LCS ID: 663051

Administrative Data
8 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Size Information

Total Floor Area: 2,723 square feet

First Floor Area: 1,664 square feet

Second Floor Area: 1,059 square feet

Attic Area: 542 square feet

Roof Area: 2, 227 square feet

Number of Stories: 2

Number of Rooms: 15

Number of Bathrooms: 3

Cultural Resource Data

National Register Status: Listed December 27, 1972

 Reference # 72000308

 Name: Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House

Proposed Treatment Rehabilitation of the exterior and the interior of the Main Block. 

 Preservation of both the exterior and interior of the Rear Shed.
National Park Service 9

Part I.A - Historical Background and Context

I.A Historical Background and 

Context

The wooded and marshy lands along the St. Johns 

River above Jacksonville had long been home to 

native populations when European ships landed 

there in the sixteenth century. The Europeans 

gave the name Timucua to the several related 

cultural groups who, though not a distinct tribe, 

were identifi ed by their shared language. In rapid 

succession, the Spanish, the French, and the British 

arrived to lay claim to the area, conquerors whose 

wars and diseases would eventually eliminate the 

native inhabitants.1 

Figure 1, Timucuan chief and procession. (nps.gov/timu/

historyculture)

Early Settlements

Juan Ponce de Leon, the fi rst governor of Puerto 

Rico, is credited as the fi rst European to reach 

Florida, claiming it for Spain in 1513. The next fi fty 

years saw numerous failed attempts by the Spanish 

to establish a strategic monopolistic position there. 

The French posed the primary threat to Spanish 

shipping interests. In 1562, French explorer Jean 

Ribault and an expedition of Huguenots (French 

Protestants) arrived at the mouth of the St. Johns 

River, which he named the River of May to honor

1. nps.gov/timu/planyourvisit 

the month of his landing. Ribault was impressed 

by the Timucua, whose Chief Saturiwa is said to 

have met the expedition at the mouth of the river. 

Ribault reported of them, 

They be all naked and of goodly stature, mighty, 

faire and as well shapen...as any people in all 

the worlde, very gentill, curtious and of good 

nature... the men be of tawny color, hawke 

nosed and of a pleasant countenance...the 

women be well favored and modest...2 

Although Ribault did not stay, a second French 

expedition in 1564 established a settlement on a 

bluff overlooking the river and, with the help of 

the Timucua, built a fort named “la Caroline.” The 

small colony at Fort Caroline boasted a number 

of houses, a fl our mill, bakery, and blacksmith.3 

But the settlement was short-lived. In 1565, the 

Spanish massacred the French, ushering in a long 

era of Spanish control. Under the Spanish, the 

River of May came to be known as the Rio de San 

Juan for a mission near its mouth named San Juan 

del Puerto.4

Figure 2, Jean Ribault. (augustine.com)

2. nps.gov/timu/historyculture

3. Burnett, p. 26. 

4. St. Johns River Water Management District. 

theriverreturns.org/explore/history.
10 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Figure 3, Fort Caroline, 1564. Engraving by Theodore de Bry 

based on drawing by Jacques LeMoyne. (fl mnh.ufl .edu)

British Occupation

For the next two hundred years La Florida was 

held by Spain. Then, in the early eighteenth 

century the British began repeated invasions of 

Spanish settlements and continued until 1763 

when Spain ceded Florida to Britain. The British 

took over agricultural lands, awarded land 

grants to encourage the development of large 

plantations in the area, and translated the river’s 

Spanish name to the St. John’s River.5 However, 

after only twenty years in British hands, Florida 

returned once again to Spain in 1783 at the end 

of the American Revolution. The Second Spanish 

Period, though marked by numerous boundary 

disputes and American encroachments, continued 

5. The apostrophe was later dropped from the name.

until 1821 when Spain again ceded Florida, this 

time to the United States. The rich lands of the 

inviting new territory were of particular interest to 

Americans from the plantation states of Virginia, 

the Carolinas, and Georgia.

Fort George Island

Across the St. Johns River from the site of Fort 

Caroline was Fort George Island. On the north 

side of the river, it was the southernmost of the 

chain of sea islands bordering the Atlantic coast.6 

From about the 1760s until the 1850s, while Florida 

was shifting from nation to nation, the island 

operated as a plantation under a series of owners. 

Centuries earlier, Jean Ribault had proclaimed 

the island “the fairest, frutefullest, and pleasantest 

of all the worlde....” The fertile region was also 

noted by botanist William Bartram, who on visiting 

in 1774 reported “[the soil of the sea islands]...

appears to be particularly favorable to the culture 

of indigo and cotton.”7

The most well-known of Fort George Island’s 

early owners was one of Florida’s wealthiest men, 

Zephaniah Kingsley, who operated a fl ourishing 

plantation there from 1814 to 1839 producing Sea 

Island cotton, indigo, citrus, sugar cane, and corn.8 

Kingsley’s nephew owned the island for the next 

fi fteen years, followed by a series of owners who 

cultivated the land until after the Civil War.

6. Fort George Island took its name from a fort built by 

Georgia’s Governor Oglethorpe in 1736. fl oridastateparks.

org.

7. Burnett, p. 27.

8. nps.gov/timu. 

Figure 4, 1884 map of Duval County shows Pilot Town and Mayport at the mouth of the St. Johns River. (courtesy of Mary 

Weisenburgh)
National Park Service 11

Part I.A - Historical Background and Context

The St. Johns River and its EverShifting Bar 

The success of the Fort George Island 

plantations was dependant on the St. Johns River. 

Transportation had always been an important 

use of the river, providing early access to trading 

posts and to Florida’s interior regions, and later 

transporting cargoes of cotton and sugar and other 

export products of the plantations. Shipping 

increased after 1821 when Florida became a U.S. 

possession. Jacksonville was growing, and in 1829, 

the arrival of the fi rst steamboat confi rmed its 

standing as an important port. 

But the shallow sand at the mouth of the St. Johns 

River was tricky. Early Spanish seaman had called 

the river the Rio de Corrientes, or the River of 

Currents, for the treacherous waters that were 

to plague river trade. The fast-moving current 

created a large sandbar where it met the ocean and 

produced a turbulence that Jean Ribault described 

as “...a leaping and breaking of water, as a stream 

falling out of the land into the sea.”9

 An illustrated 

1850 survey map portrays the mouth of the river as 

a man in profi le, blowing the current out to sea.10 

 

Figure 4white

Figure 5, The mouth of the river as depicted on Henry 

Washington’s survey map of 1835 and 1850. Baton 

[sic] Island is shown on the north bank. (Jacksonville 

Department of Public Works)

The sandbar was a signifi cant impediment to ships 

as it constantly shifted, at times positioned only a 

few feet beneath the water. Heavy ocean vessels 

sat deeper than the bar allowed, and even smaller 

boats were not safe.11 

9. Jacksonville’s historic inventory entry on jetties.

10. Florida’s Deputy Surveyor Henry Washington 

surveyed the lands of Zephaniah Kingsley in 1833-1835; 

he surveyed other areas in 1849 and completed the map 

in 1850 (map found at Jacksonville Department of Public 

Works). “Spanish Land Grants: A Problem for Surveyors...” 

fl oridaenergyoffi ce.com/lands/fi les/spanish_land_grants

11. Ward, p. 160-165. 

Bar Pilots

Ships needed pilots who knew the river and its 

changing channel. As maritime activities increased 

and Jacksonville and smaller river ports developed, 

local seamen found this new work to which they 

were uniquely suited. These men, known as 

bar pilots, boarded ships and maneuvered them 

around the twisting sandbar, then helped guide 

them through the channel and up to Jacksonville.12 

On the north bank of the river, just south of Fort 

George Island, was the smaller Batten Island. As 

river commerce grew and more men worked the 

bar, a community of pilots developed on Batten 

Island and became known as Pilot Town. As early 

as 1847, Pilot Town was suffi ciently settled to need 

a post offi ce. 

Across the river to the south was the fi shing village 

later named Mayport. In the 1840s, a sawmill in 

the Mayport area was bought by Joseph Finnegan 

and operated by his partner Amander Parsons. 

Parsons had moved with his family from New 

Hampshire to supervise the mill, which grew 

to become one of the largest sawmills in Duval 

County and known as Parsons Mill.13 

Living upriver from Mayport was John Broward, 

who by 1835 owned a 2,500-acre land grant and 

was one of the larger owners of land and slaves 

in north Florida. His son, Napoleon Bonaparte 

Broward, married Amander Parsons’ daughter 

Mary Dorcas Parsons in 1851. Their son, 

Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, Jr., was born in 

1857. He would grow up to be governor.14 

The Tourists Arrive

Shipping and trade on the St. Johns River was 

interrupted by the Civil War, but the eff ects were 

not long lasting. Jacksonville suff ered less than 

most Southern cities during the war. Its port 

was blockaded and the city was captured and 

12. Buker, p. 90-91. In 1820 the local Bar Pilot Association 

was founded.

13. McEachin, Mayport Survey Report. The village was 

fi rst named Hazard for an early owner of nearby Fort 

George Island, later named Mayport Mills in recognition 

of Jean Ribault’s River of May, then shortened to Mayport. 

Amander Parsons’ mill was spelled both Parsons Mill and 

Parson’s Mill. Some records also show the spelling Dorcus 

rather than the more common Dorcas

14. McEachin, Mayport Survey, and Proctor, p. 11-12.
12 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

recaptured several times by both sides, but no 

battles were fought there and recovery was quick. 

Almost immediately after the war, a new industry 

took hold as Jacksonville became a popular winter 

resort for northern tourists. The city’s business 

leaders turned their attention to advertising, 

promoting not only the city but the region and 

even the state. It paid off . The 1870s and 80s were 

a period of tourist development and all that came 

with it. Electric lights were introduced with great 

fanfare in 1883 at the St. James Hotel in downtown 

Jacksonville, and electric lighting quickly spread to 

theaters, stables, and other tourist attractions until 

it was gradually extended over the entire city.15 

Figure 6, 1893 Perspective of Jacksonville. (University of 

South Florida) 

The new tourist traffi c on the St. Johns River placed 

Jacksonville in great demand as a port city, and the 

region’s citrus and lumber industries continued to 

fi ll steamers. By 1885, the population had reached 

20,000, spreading prosperity beyond the city and 

especially to those associated with river commerce. 

Even tiny Mayport with its 600 inhabitants had two 

daily steamers, a post offi ce, and a good school.16 

Nevertheless, the bar at the mouth of the St. Johns 

was hurting the city. Ships were delayed, and 

while grounded in the channel their cargoes were 

vulnerable to scavengers. As a result, the port’s 

reputation as a safe harbor suff ered.17 

Navigational improvements at the mouth of 

the river had begun decades earlier, but the bar 

prevailed. Several dredge projects undertaken 

in the 1870s were undone by storms as soon as 

a channel was dredged. Not infrequently, larger 

ships were trapped. In 1874, twenty-two ships 

15. Gold, p. 170-171.

16. Ibid, p. 172.

17. Buker, p. 90-91.

were locked inside the bar after a storm fi lled the 

mouth of the river and its dredged channel. Almost 

a decade later in 1883, more than a dozen ships 

were blocked.18 The bar pilots could not help these 

large ships in a shallow river.

Jacksonville’s leaders moved from unease to alarm 

as commerce at the port suff ered. Most of the 

ships coming to Jacksonville were three-masted 

schooners whose business was eagerly welcomed 

elsewhere; between 1866 and 1878, the city lost 

$1.5 million in cargoes to nearby ports.19

In 1880, after earlier attempts to improve the river 

entrance had failed, construction began on the St. 

Johns jetties. The jetties and dredging deepened 

the channel to eighteen feet, and Jacksonville at 

last became a dependable ocean-going port. In 

1902 the channel was deepened again and in 1916 

deepened to thirty feet, with the dredge spoil 

adding land to the north bank of the river at Pilot 

Town.

Figure 7, Jetties constructed in 1880s. (Jacksonville 

Historical Society)

Fort George Island: Winter in a 

Summer Land

The years after the Civil War brought change to 

Fort George Island as well. Zephaniah Kingsley’s 

nephew had sold the island and its successful 

plantation in 1853. After a series of owners it 

was sold in 1869 to John Rollins, a chemist from 

New Hampshire who, like those before, was 

attracted to the island by its warm climate and 

fertile ground.20 Rollins and his family moved into 

18. Ward, p. 160-165. 

19. Buker, p. 90-91. Ward, p. 163.

20. fl oridastateparks.org/littletalbotisland.
National Park Service 13

Part I.A - Historical Background and Context

Zephaniah Kingsley’s plantation house, renaming 

it “the Homestead.” There he attempted several 

agricultural enterprises, particularly grapes and a 

large orange grove, but was disappointed by early 

results. In contrast, his venture into recreation 

brought new life to the island.21

In 1873 the island was surveyed, then platted for 

homesites and winter cottages and advertised for 

wealthy northerners. The fi rst lot sold in 1874. 

The next year, Rollins and his partners built the 

Fort George Hotel with accommodations for sixty 

guests. An advertisement in the Tri-Weekly Florida 

Sun in 1876 noted that the hotel combined “both 

seashore and inland attractions unsurpassed in 

this country.” Its appointments were “fi rst-class 

in every particular,” including driving avenues and 

long beaches.22 

Rollins was innovative in spreading the word about 

his development. He invited writers to visit the 

island during northern 

winters; glowing articles 

soon appeared in popular 

periodicals praising the 

climate, beauty, and 

charm of the island. 

In an 1877 issue of 

Scribner’s Magazine, Julia 

E. Dodge described the 

intrigue of “An Island of 

the Sea.” 

Figure 8, Scribner’s Magazine. 

(library.princeton.edu)

In the same year, the island was platted for 

additional lots and the Beach House Hotel was 

built on the “Outer Beach” facing the St. Johns 

River. Just upriver was Batten Island, the small 

island directly south across a marsh. Pilot Town, 

the community of bar pilots on Batten Island, was 

the landing used by tourists and visitors. A dock 

was erected there to serve the Water Lily, the daily 

steamer from Jacksonville, as well as the large 

steamers traveling from Charleston and Savannah 

that now stopped there. Access to the hotels was 

further improved by construction of a shell road 

built on fi ll between Batten Island and Fort George 

Island. 

21. nps.gov/timu/historyculture/upload/saturiwa_trail_text.

pdf

22. Stowell, p. 88.

Rollins, with more of his savvy marketing, moved 

the Fort George post offi ce to Pilot Town closer to 

the river landing. Because of this relocation, Pilot 

Town as well as Batten Island became known and 

today are most often referred to as Fort George 

Island. Their former names are hardly known 

today.23

Figure 9, The 1875 Fort George Hotel before its expansion. 

(nps.gov)

Among Fort George Island’s natural attractions for 

tourists was the unexpected Mt. Cornelia. Rising 

65 feet above sea level, Mt. Cornelia is reputed to 

be the highest point along the Atlantic coastline 

south of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. In the 

1870s, Mt. Cornelia became a popular place for 

visitors staying at the Fort George Hotel. A threestory observation tower was built on its peak 

overlooking the hotel and providing a view of both 

sea and land. In an 1878 Harper’s article, Samuel 

G. W. Benjamin described the view as “one of the 

most enchanting in the United States.”24 

Figure 10, The Fort George Hotel viewed from the 

observation tower on Mt. Cornelia. (overthecrescentmoon.

com)

23. “Fort George Island,” Papers of the Jacksonville 

Historical Society, Vol. 5, 1969, p. 92. 

24. Mt. Cornelia may have been the site of Oglethorpe’s 

1736 Fort St. George. nps.gov/time/historyculture/upload/

saturiwa_trail_text.pdf; fl oridastateparks.org/ribaultclub. 

Stowell, p. 90. Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, 1878.
14 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

1880s Expansion

A delightful sail of an hour and a half from 

Jacksonville, down the winding St. Johns 

River..., and the steamer lands us at the 

beautiful little village of Pilot Town, composed 

mostly of families of pilots who guide vessels 

over the bar.25 

In the 1880s Rollins sold some of his property 

interest on the island to developers who in 1885 

formed the Fort George Island Company and 

expanded the Fort George Hotel considerably, 

advertising it as “one of the fi nest hotels in 

Florida.” The company off ered one thousand 

cottages and villa sites for sale. A “new and 

fast” steamer, the Kate Spencer, now made two 

daily trips between Jacksonville and Pilot Town. 

Steering the Kate Spencer was its pilot, Napoleon 

Bonaparte Broward, Jr.

25. 1887, New England Magazine, “A Winter at Fort 

George,” p. 1-2.

Figure 11white

Figure 12, Detail of Pilot Town, its houses and landing dock 

as shown in the 1887 map above.

Figure 11, 1887 promotional map showing platted lots on Fort George Island and the route of “Charleston Steamers” to Pilot 

Town. (New England Magazine, “A Winter at Fort George”)
National Park Service 15

Part I.A - Historical Background and Context

And the 1888 Demise

At the height of the island’s dramatic expansion, 

the Fort George development and its prosperous 

hotels were cut short. A badly-timed yellow 

fever epidemic swept the region in 1888, killing 

hundreds in Jacksonville, scaring off the tourists, 

and crippling the plans for Fort George. The 

same year, a fi re destroyed the newly expanded 

hotel. Tourism on the island plummeted and the 

developers were forced to sell.26 

Figure 13, 1888 image of Yellow Jack, the personifi cation of 

yellow fever. (escholarship.org/editions)

Rollins was able to retain his orange groves 

and continued large-scale agriculture until the 

1890s, commercially producing the “Fort George 

Orange.” He did much to develop the mandarin 

orange and the shaddock, a type of grapefruit.27 

The Florida Land Boom of the 

1920s

In the decades after the decline of 1888, Fort 

George Island remained a winter home for several 

elite northern families but was no longer promoted 

26. Stowell, p. 92-93.

27. Federal Writers’ Project, “The Ocean Highway,” 1938.

as a winter resort.28 This changed dramatically 

when the great Florida land boom of the 1920s 

brought new investors to the island. In 1923 

Admiral Victor Blue opened the Army and Navy 

Club. He revived recreational development there 

and promoted other investments on the island, 

envisioning clubs of wealthy northern capitalists in 

a luxury sea island resort. But such development 

needed a road; the island at that time was still 

accessible only by boat with no road to entice 

automobile-owning buyers. 

In the fall of 1923, Blue asked the county 

commissioners to construct a road from 

Cedar Point on the north end of Fort George 

Island to connect to Jacksonville, assuring the 

commissioners that “most of the club members 

who have winter residences on the island will be 

owners of automobiles.”29 

The road was not built, but the need for a road 

was only intensifi ed when additional projects were 

launched on Fort George Island. In 1926 the Army 

and Navy Club became the Fort George Club; 

a new clubhouse was built and members built 

small cottages. And a second club was underway; 

the ambitious Ribault Club was built on the site 

of the old Fort George Hotel that had burned 

in 1888, and was designed to be an “exclusive 

playground” for southern guests in the summer 

and northern guests in the winter. The promoters 

addressed the lack of a road, citing Admiral 

Blue’s club and pointing out that it had prospered 

“notwithstanding the inaccessibility and complete 

isolation of Fort George Island up to the present 

time.”30

Figure 14, Promotional image of Ribault Club. (Broward 

papers, UFL) 

28. Stowell, p. 92-93.

29. Ibid, p. 96.

30. “The Ribault Inn Club, Inc.,” cited in Stowell, p. 97-98.
16 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

In March 1927, Victor Blue wrote to Stevens 

Heckscher, a Philadelphia attorney and one of 

the founding investors of the Ribault Club, with 

a forecast of the considerable profi t to be made 

and the importance of a road to the new club. 

“Considering the Ribault as an investment only, 

there is nothing equal to it anywhere. It is like 

fi nding money.” With a new road, “how much 

more successful should the Ribault undertaking 

be!” He estimated a fi ve-to-one return, “and that 

within a few years.”31

Also on the board of the Ribault Club was August 

Heckscher. From New York, he was Stevens 

Heckscher’s uncle and was to have a profound 

eff ect on Fort George Island and Batten Island.32

A Road to Fort George

Although the northern road from Cedar Point to 

Jacksonville was never built, another road project 

was devised, this one privately funded. In 1926, 

August Heckscher began his road, not through Cedar Point, but following the north shore of the St. 

Johns River to Pilot Town where it met the existing 

shell road connecting Batten Island to Fort George 

Island. While the road would serve all of Fort 

George, it was prompted by yet another development on the island, not coincidentally owned by 

August Heckscher. His Bay Shore Corporation had 

acquired one thousand acres on Fort George Island 

primed for houses, a large hotel and casino.33 

To create the route, Heckscher’s company acquired 

extensive property along the river. Among the 

sellers were the families of some of the early river 

pilots who lived in Pilot Town. The road was 

sixteen miles long with seven bridges, three of 

them steel bascule drawbridges. Toll gates were 

located at the road’s entrances.

The offi cial opening of the road was held in 

1929 with great fanfare. The Jacksonville Journal 

reported:

31. Victor Blue to Stevens Heckscher, 3/20/1927, cited in 

Stowell, p. 99. Stevens is the correct spelling.

32. Board members are listed in a brochure, probably from 

1926, in the collection of Elsie Broward Kienast. According 

to family members, August appears to have been Stevens’ 

uncle, but may have been a cousin. Conversations with (the 

current) Stevens Heckscher and Juretta Heckscher. 

33. Florida Times-Union, 7/24/1999. 

For the fi rst time in Jacksonville’s history, 

beautiful Fort George Island at the mouth of 

the St. Johns River will become accessible to 

motorists Sunday when the Bay Shore Co.’s 

boulevard, Heckscher Drive, is opened as far as 

Pilot Town, connecting there with the existing 

county road from Pilot Town to the island. 

The next infl ux of winter visitors to Florida will 

fi nd Jacksonville practically in possession of 

a public park of 17,000 acres between the city 

and the ocean along the St. Johns River.

While ultimately designed for sale to private 

builders, the properties of the Bay Shore Co. 

are at present free and unrestricted to the 

public for fi shing, boating, picnicking and all 

of the wonderful diversions possible on this 

wonderland of river, forest, islands and sea. 34

The road received national attention as well. 

 A 1930s touring brochure described Heckscher 

Drive as,

...a privately owned toll road winding 17 miles 

along the north bank of the St. Johns River to 

its mouth, and a trip well worth the nominal 

toll charge. A mile beyond the toll house the 

road leads over the highest point along the 

Southeastern coast, off ering a magnifi cent view 

of the curving river and the city docks in the 

distance. Pass a second toll house [and] drive 

on ... to the observation tower on the left....

Farther on, cross the bridge over Sisters Creek, 

one of several popular fi shing spots along 

this drive, where the Intra-Coastal Waterway 

joins the St. Johns River. Soon the road leads 

through Pilot Town, where Ribault and his 

French Huguenots knelt for the fi rst Protestant 

prayer in North America, May 1, 1562. About 

two miles beyond Pilot Town, the road 

doubles back on itself, ... turn right down a 

picturesque, winding shell road through groves 

of overshadowing palms to historic Fort George 

Island.35 

August Heckscher 

sent a telegram of 

congratulations to that 

July opening: “We are of 

those who can wait. We 

know that Jacksonville, 

bound to grow by leaps 

and bounds, will in 

time appreciate what 

we have accomplished. 

Let us face the future 

with confi dence.”36 The 

future, however, came only three months later 

when the stock market crash brought on the Great 

Depression. The Bay Shore project was never built, 

but the completed road remained in use, was later 

widened, and is today Heckscher Drive.

34. Jacksonville Journal 7/23/1929. 

35. 1939 brochure, “Eight Little Journeys.”

36. Jacksonville Journal 7/23/1929.

Figure 15, August Heckscher, 

1925. (Heckscher Museum 

of Art)
National Park Service 17

Part I.A - Historical Background and Context

August Heckscher

Few today know about the man behind the name. 

August Heckscher (1848-1941) was an industrialist 

and philanthropist. Born in Hamburg, Germany, 

the son of a physician, he immigrated to the United 

States in 1867 when he was nineteen years old. He 

initially worked as a laborer in his cousin’s coal 

mining operation and later made his millions in 

coal and zinc mining and New York real estate.

In the early 1920s Heckscher became increasingly 

involved in philanthropy. He donated playgrounds 

and parks and in 1920 gave 185 works of art to a 

new Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington, 

New York. In 1921 he created the Heckscher 

Foundation for Children, erecting a building on 

New York’s 5th Avenue to provide housing for 

children. The foundation remains active today. 

Heckscher also turned his attention to Florida and 

its increasing potential for tourism development. 

He bought orange groves and in 1926 developed 

Vilano Beach and its casino on the coast near 

St. Augustine.37 He had similar plans for the 

Bay Shore development on Fort George Island. 

Heckscher was 78 years old in 1926 when he 

funded the road to Fort George, and 93 at his 

death.

The Broward House is Built

In 1877 when Fort George was in its earliest period 

of expansion, one of the local bar pilots, John 

Johnson, sold property in Pilot Town to Laura M. 

Gilbert, wife of Jonathan Gilbert. Johnson and his 

family lived a few houses west of the Gilberts’ land. 

Little is known about Jonathan Gilbert or his wife. 

According to local tradition, he was a dentist from 

New York, or sometimes cryptically “from the 

North.” Other reports give his name as Dr. J.N. 

Gilbert. That he was among the northern tourists 

recent to Fort George seems likely; he may have 

been attracted by the promotion of Rollins’s resort. 

Documentation and local tradition suggest that he 

and his wife Laura built a house in 1878.

 

37. Rajtar & Goodman, A Guide to Historic St. Augustine, 

Florida. St. Petersburg Times, Oct. 24, 1943. Heckscher had 

other large developments. In 1925 he bought land at Lake 

Mattamuskeet on the coast of North Carolina and created a 

large commercial farm in the drained lakebed. 

It is unclear why they built their house at Pilot 

Town, home not of wealthy northerners but of 

local rivermen. And though the Gilberts owned 

the house for twenty years, it has not been 

determined whether they spent their winters in the 

house or lived there year-round. Despite research 

and numerous interviews, no record of Gilbert’s 

profession, family, or connection with the area 

has surfaced. He may have been associated with 

shipping activities on the river or with a Captain 

George Gilbert, one of the early bar pilots who 

may have been Jonathan’s son. This connection 

is strengthened by later land records showing 

a George Gilbert as owner of land adjacent 

to Jonathan’s. And perhaps there was a prior 

association with the Johnson family from whom he 

bought the land. The relation of those two families 

before the sale is not known, but, according to 

one descendent, Gilbert’s daughter Laura M. 

Gilbert married into the Johnson family.38 Further 

confusing the Gilbert identity is a William Gilbert 

who was a dentist living in Jacksonville in the 

1880s.39

In contrast, much is known about Napoleon 

Bonaparte Broward, Jr., the colorful gunrunner 

who became governor.

Figure 15

Figure 16, Napoleon Bonaparte Broward. (UFL archives)

38. Jack Leatherman, grandson of Laura M. Gilbert 

Johnson, in a 1/24/1980 letter to the editor; telephone 

interview conducted by “DS” the same day. No similar 

record has been found. In the collection of the Jacksonville 

Historical Society.

39. Jacksonville City Directories, 1870s and 1880s.
18 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Napoleon Bonaparte Broward 

The child born to Amander Parsons’ daughter 

in 1857 grew up to be governor. Known for his 

colorful political career, his life from the start was 

eventful. Born on a farm to a successful family, 

after the Civil War he lost both parents when 

he was twelve years old. He and his brother 

Montcalm tended farm under their grandfather’s 

supervision for a few years before moving to 

Jacksonville with their uncle and working in his 

lumber camp. This was the fi rst of many jobs for 

the young Napoleon. He worked as a log rafter, 

later as a farm hand, ship’s cook, steamboat 

roustabout, cod fi sherman on the Grand Banks 

of Newfoundland, and seaman on steam and 

sailboats. He returned to Jacksonville in 1878 and 

took a job working tugboats on the St. Johns River. 

In January, 1883, Broward married his captain’s 

daughter, Georgiana Carolina Kemp, known as 

Carrie, and received his pilot’s license to lead ships 

over the bar. In December the same year, Carrie 

died in childbirth; the infant died soon after.40 

Now known as Captain Broward, he continued to 

work as a bar pilot and steamer pilot and became 

joint owner of his father-in-law’s steamboat, the 

Kate Spencer, when river trade was a lucrative 

business. He regularly took visitors on the Kate 

Spencer to the landing at Pilot Town. 

In 1887, Broward married Annie Douglass, 

daughter of a northern ship captain and frequent 

passenger on Broward’s boat. After a brief 

honeymoon in St. Augustine, they built a two-story 

frame house on Church Street in a fashionable 

suburb of Jacksonville. The same year, Broward 

bought a small lumber yard and grist mill, but 

continued to work on the river where he could 

earn more money.

Already known as a skilled pilot, Broward’s 

political career began the next year when he 

replaced the disgraced sheriff of Duval County 

and broke up gambling operations. He ran for 

reelection in 1892 but instead was caught in an 

intense political rivalry and was removed from 

offi ce. As an unintended result, Broward became

a political martyr, a leader for the common man. 

His election to the Jacksonville City Council in 

1895 was announced by the exuberant headline, 

40. Proctor, p. 1-30; fi les of Jacksonville Historic 

Preservation Commission; oldarlington.org.

“Well! Broward was Elected at Any Rate and he is a 

Holy Terror.”41

By that time Broward and Annie had three 

daughters, Dorcas, Josephine, and Enid, and had 

just built a second house in Jacksonville. Located 

next door to their 1887 house, it was large, two 

stories with a wrap-around porch, mahogany 

woodwork, and electric lights. Broward’s life was 

centered in Jacksonville, but he remained a seaman 

and continued to work as a bar pilot on the St. 

Johns River.42 

In a new venture, Broward, his brother Montcalm, 

and friend George DeCottes built a seagoing 

tugboat named The Three Friends. The tug was 

designed for towing, wrecking, and carrying 

passengers but soon took on a diff erent role. While 

the boat was under construction, Cuban patriots 

began fi ghting for independence from Spain; 

Broward was approached by Jacksonville’s Cuban 

community about shipping a load of munitions and 

Cuban expatriates to Cuba. He was sympathetic 

to the Cubans, and in 1896, The Three Friends’

maiden voyage took her to Cuba. Captain Broward 

led the boat on eight voyages through Spanish 

blockades to deliver arms and equipment to the 

revolutionaries. His illegal exploits were in confl ict 

not only with Spain’s interests, but also with U.S. 

laws of neutrality. He was nearly caught by Spanish 

gunboats and was zealously pursued by U.S. 

authorities set on seizing his ship. As a result, his 

celebrity status grew among Floridians. 

Figure 17, The Three Friends. (Broward papers, UFL)

After a close call in the summer of 1896, he took 

a break from his gunrunning adventures while 

the hull of The Three Friends was sheathed with 

copper. He and his family closed their house in 

Jacksonville and traveled by train to spend the 

summer in Smyrna, Georgia.43 

41. Florida Times-Union, 9/19/1895, found in Proctor, p. 97.

42. Proctor, p. 96.

43. Ibid, p. 120.
National Park Service 19

Part I.A - Historical Background and Context

Figure 18, Broward at sail, 1895. (ibistro.dos.state.fl .us)

The year 1897 opened with the United States 

government’s confronting the possibility of war 

with Spain. The Three Friends returned to its 

peaceful freight and passenger business, and the 

Browards bought a summer house at Pilot Town. 

In 1900, the war over, Broward was nominated 

for the State House and elected almost without 

opposition. He did not run for the House again 

in 1902 because he was busy with a lucrative 

salvage operation in the Keys and by then had six 

daughters to support. The family spent time at 

the Pilot Town house, where Broward is shown in 

family photographs. In the summer of 1903, after 

being approached numerous times, he decided to 

run for the governorship. 

Broward had never been wealthy, and in fact 

frequently found himself in debt. His opponents, 

on the other hand, controlled most of the money

and the majority of the newspapers in the state. 

Recognizing the strength of grassroots support, 

Broward said of his chances,

I don’t intend to go after the cities. Their 

newspapers are against me and they don’t take 

me seriously. But I’m going to stump every 

crossroads village between Fernandina and 

Pensacola and talk to the farmers and the 

crackers and show them their top ends were 

meant to be used for something better than 

hatracks. I’m going to make ‘em sit up and 

think. They won’t mind mistakes in grammar if 

they fi nd I’m talking horse sense.44 

44. Mabry, “Florida’s Napoleon.”

The greatest issue in the campaign was drainage 

of the Everglades, a proposal already in place and 

fi rst examined by the sitting governor, William S. 

Jennings. Broward came out strongly in favor of 

drainage, calling the ground “the fabulous muck” 

and carrying with him an elevation map of the 

various parts of the Glades. When Broward found 

that he was losing an argument over drainage, he 

would point to his map and say, “Water will run 

downhill!... Yes, the Everglades is a swamp; so was 

Chicago sixty years ago.”45

Figure 19, Broward prepares to drain the Everglades, 1905 

cartoon. (Florida Times-Union, 1/14/1905)

His gubernatorial campaign attacked the rich 

and the railroad interests. As contrast, Broward 

the candidate made much of his unassuming 

background; he traveled frequently to rural areas 

and stressed that he would seek what was best for 

the majority, advocating his Everglades project as a 

program to create rich farm land that would benefi t 

the average Floridian.46 

Broward won the election and in 1905 became 

governor. His administration was a stormy one, 

but it was through the Everglades project that he 

gained national prominence and became more 

involved in Washington, getting federal funds 

for the drainage project and eventually bringing 

President Roosevelt to see the drainage areas. 

Roosevelt became an important advocate for the 

program. Broward was as well a supporter of a 

strong state railroad commission to oversee the 

runaway industry and was successful in unifying 

Florida’s institutions of higher learning under 

a central board, establishing the University of 

Florida, Florida State College for Women (Florida 

State University), and Florida A & M University.

45. Grunwald, p. 130.

46. Ibid.
20 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Figure 20, Broward and family at the Governor’s Mansion in 

Tallahassee, 1908. (UFL archives)

His stormy political life continued after his term as 

governor ended. He was an unsuccessful candidate 

for the U.S. Senate in 1908 while governor, but after 

a grueling campaign, won in 1910. Exhausted by 

the campaign, he joined his family at his summer 

house in Pilot Town. Late in September Broward 

became ill and died before taking offi ce as Senator. 

The Florida Times-Union wrote,

Today there are thousands who, like the TimesUnion, always opposed the big man so recently

crowned with laurel and now clothed in a 

shroud, who see so clearly the qualities that all 

admired, that past diff erences refuse to intrude, 

and the opponent craves a place among the 

mourners. 
National Park Service 21

Part I.B - Chronology of Development and Use

I.B Chronology of Development 

and Use

The Broward House faces southeast towards 

the St. Johns River. For the purposes of this 

report, the house is described as facing east.

The port of Jacksonville recovered quickly after 

the Civil War, becoming a popular winter tourist 

destination. On nearby Fort George Island, 

development began in 1875 with construction of 

a fashionable hotel and sales of residential lots 

to well-heeled northerners. Initial development 

was rapid, with winter houses and an Episcopal 

church soon built on the island. Tourists arrived 

by steamer at a landing built at Pilot Town, a 

community of bar pilots on nearby Batten Island 

just south of Fort George Island. 

The Broward House was built at Pilot Town in 1878 

by a northern family, apparently as an off shoot of 

Fort George’s development. Later acquired by 

Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, it was fi rst used as a 

summer house and later as a year-round residence. 

It remained in the Broward family for ninety-nine 

years and continued its residential use under a new 

owner until acquired by the National Park Service 

in 2004. 

From its initial construction until the present, the 

house has had four major stages of development.

 •The fi rst was its initial construction in 1878 as a 

two-story, deck-hipped-roof house with widow’s 

walk, low pyramidal-roofed open cupola, inset 

two-tier porches, and a one-story rear ell.

•The second was after an extension of the rear 

ell into a full-width rear shed, apparently before 

Broward’s death in 1910.

•The third was the expansion of the fi rst-fl oor 

front porch, probably in the 1920s.

•The fourth was the return of the front porch to its 

earlier confi guration, completed in 2003.

The only signifi cant changes made to the interior 

have been the additional space of the rear shed 

(Room 108) before 1910 and the division of a 

second-fl oor bedroom to create two bathrooms 

(Rooms 205) in the 1990s.

Figure 1, Broward House in 2009. (Oppermann)

1878: The House that Gilbert Built

In Pilot Town in the winter of 1877, a riverfront 

property was sold to Laura M. Gilbert, wife of 

Jonathan Gilbert, by one of the bar pilots who lived 

nearby. The parcel was 150 feet wide and extended 

across the width of Batten Island to Batten Island 

Creek (today called Shad Creek). A deed abstract 

remaining in the Archibald Records gives a 

condensed description of the property. 

A parcel of L[and] on Baton [sic] Isl. near 

mouth of St. Johns R. Co[mmencing] fr. cor. 

of Mary G. Johnson’s L[and] & meas. N. 150 

ft. Bnd. N. by L[and]s of John Johnson and W. 

by Baton Isl. Cr[ee]k, meas. on [margin?] of 

crk 150 ft. S. by L[ands] of Mary G. Johnson 

& E. by Shell Road. Agreed that no live stock 

wh[ich] may belong to 2nd pty sha. r[oa]m. at 

large on Baton Isl.1

1. Book D, p. 663, Feb. 28, 1877. Sellers were John and 

Ruth Johnson. Neighbor Mary G. Johnson may be Mary 

Greenwood Johnson, the second daughter of John and 

Ruth Johnson. Duval County deeds were destroyed in 

the great Jacksonville fi re of 1901. The only land records 

available are those dating from 1822 to 1894 and recorded 

in the Archibald Records, named for J.W. Archibald of the 

Title and Trust Company of Florida.
22 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

visible in the photograph and are a two-over-twolight confi guration, as would be expected in this 

period and style. However, it is unclear from the 

photograph whether the sash of the side windows 

were at that time also a two-over-two-light 

confi guration or a six-over-six as is present today. 

In the photograph, the windows have been opened 

at top and bottom so that the upper and lower rails 

prevent a clear view of the sash confi guration of the 

one visible south side window. 

Today, the front windows at both levels are 

two-over-two; at the other three elevations, the 

windows have a six-over-six sash. Whether these 

were the original sash patterns is not certain; 

microanalysis of paint samples was inconclusive 

due at least in part to chemical stripping of the sash 

in the 1990s.

1897: The Broward Ownership

The Gilberts owned the house for twenty years 

before it was sold in June 1897 to the Browards. 

Napoleon Broward, Jr., was in his second term as 

sheriff of Duval County, and he and his wife Annie 

were both heavily involved in state politics that 

spring. In April, they left Jacksonville with their 

children and moved to Tallahassee for two months, 

Figure 2

It is generally believed that the Gilberts built a 

house on the property a year later in 1878. An early 

photograph, although taken decades later, shows 

the front of the house probably much as it was 

when constructed (Figure 2). In form it is relatively 

restrained, Italianate in infl uence, with wide 

bracketed eaves, hipped roof and square cupola. 

Its striking full-width front porch is two-tiered with 

decorative brackets and balustrades at both levels. 

But the house is unusual. Whereas Italianate and 

Victorian front porches are generally attached to 

the façade and with a separate roof, these porches 

are fully inset beneath the roof of the main house, 

a characteristic more typical of the front-gabled 

Greek Revival style with full-height porch. The 

two-story porch set beneath a hipped roof was 

unconventional nationally and not customary to 

this region. Whether it was a purposeful design 

or simply a mix of Italianate elements applied to a 

holdover form is not clear.

The photograph dates between 1910 and 1918 

and shows the front (east) façade and south side 

elevation. At the center bay of the front porch 

was a run of six wide wooden steps. Louvered 

shutters were on the front and side windows, with 

three panels of louvers on the fi rst-fl oor shutters 

and two panels on the second fl oor. The sash 

of the front windows at both levels are clearly 

Figure 2, Photograph of the Broward House taken between 1910 and 1918 shows the early porch, back addition, louvered 

shutters, window sash, wood front steps, and yard elevation. Photograph date is based on clothing style. (courtesy of Mary 

Broward Weisenburgh)
National Park Service 23

Part I.B - Chronology of Development and Use

making arrangements for others to handle their 

business aff airs in their absence. Broward turned 

over command of The Three Friends to his brother 

Montcalm and entrusted his other enterprises to 

his foremen.2 Nevertheless, the Browards made 

arrangements to buy a house, and in a warranty 

deed of June 24, 1897, “Mary G. Gilbert, widow” 

conveyed the property on Batten Island to N. B. 

Broward. Next door was his brother Montcalm’s 

house.3

Figure 3, Napoleon Broward at his desk, probably in Tallahassee. (undated, UFL archives)

The house seemed a good fi t for the Browards. 

Its prominent location in Pilot Town where 

Napoleon had worked as a young man, its cupola 

overlooking the mouth of the river, and its 

proximity to Montcalm may all have contributed to 

the Browards’ purchase. Nevertheless, the house 

may have had only limited use in the fi rst years. On 

June 25, 1901, Montcalm wrote to Broward, “Do 

you care to rent your house at Pilot Town if so I 

may be able to rent it for you.” (Figure 4) There is 

2. Proctor, p. 150-159.

3. A chain of title is in Appendix C. Offi cial records are 

available for the years between 1894 and 1901. A brief 

typed deed abstract, prepared by an unknown source and 

perhaps incorrectly identifi ed as Book 128, p. 776, is in the 

fi les of the State Historic Preservation Offi ce. 

no record of Broward’s response nor information 

on rental, but the letter implies that the house was 

vacant that summer.4

Figure 4

Figure 5, Fishing with 

his daughter Florida, 

ca. 1906. (collection of 

Descendants Group)

Despite Montcalm’s off er, it is clear that the family 

continued to enjoy the house. Photographs from 

several summers show Broward and his children 

at the house and in the water. The family was also 

there in the summer and fall of 1910 when Broward 

joined them in June, and, tired from months of 

campaigning, returned again in September, when 

he “...played in the ocean with his children, sailed 

and fi shed and swam...” 

Figure 6, Broward children and friends playing in St. Johns 

River, ca. 1905. (collection of Descendants Group)

4. Broward papers, box 1, folder 12.

Figure 4, 1901 letter from Montcalm asking about renting the house in Pilot Town. (Broward papers, UFL archives)
24 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Late that month he became ill; his brother 

Montcalm took him by riverboat to Jacksonville 

where he died. His youngest child, Napoleon 

Bonaparte Broward III, was seven months old.5

Early Changes 

Whether the Gilberts changed the back of the 

house before their sale to the Browards is not 

known. However, it appears certain from the 

1910-18 photograph that the back of the house 

was altered with a shed addition either before the 

Browards’ 1897 purchase or in the two decades 

following. This was the fi rst major change to the 

original design. 

Circumstantial evidence suggests the addition 

was constructed before Broward’s death in 1910; 

presumably the widow Annie Broward with her 

large group of small children would not have had 

the inclination nor perhaps the means to expand 

their summer house soon after her husband’s 

death.

Figure 7, Section of 

1910-1918 photograph showing south 

side of rear addition 

with shed roof and 

two windows.

Physical evidence indicates that the back spaces 

developed in stages. Initial construction included 

a one-story ell, probably a kitchen, on the northern 

side of the back elevation (Room 107). Below this 

room, at grade, are the remnants of brick piers 

apparently along the room’s perimeter. Above, 

the east wall of the room, adjacent to the west wall 

of the family’s known dining room (Room 104), 

is now covered with gypsum board. Beneath the 

gypsum board the original wall stud is in place and 

5. Proctor, p. 304.

the back of the original plaster of the Dining Room 

is visible. On the kitchen side of the wall stud are 

ghost marks for lath, the corresponding nail hole, 

and the white stain from the lime plaster keys. 

These are indications the kitchen side of the wall 

was also plastered. 

Further physical evidence indicating the kitchen is 

an original room is the trim of the doorway from 

the kitchen to the dining room (Room 104). The 

casing is comprised of unadorned plank boards 

(appropriate for an ancillary room) of the same 

dimensions as other original doorways in the main 

block. In addition, it is constructed without a drip 

board at the top casing, consistent with interior 

but not exterior doorways. Further, the door 

threshold matches the original thresholds of other 

interior doorways. It is also noteworthy that the 

dining room side of the door casing matches other 

original casings in the house.

It is likely that there was originally a porch on the 

south side of the ell. This was a typical design 

feature at the time of construction, and there is 

some evidence for it. At the back of the main block 

of the house is a central doorway, originally the 

main exterior door at the back of the house. Close 

to and north of that doorway is another doorway, 

today connecting the dining room (Room 104) 

and the later rear shed addition (Room 108). The 

placement of the second, off -center doorway 

aligns with the probable location of a porch on 

the ell. Both doorways are original with exterior 

trim designed to shed water, indicating these were 

exterior openings.

The ell was later expanded. An addition was built 

south of the ell to extend the full width of the main 

block, the whole covered with a shed roof. The 

1910-1918 photograph shows the one-story rear 

shed addition at the southwest back corner in place 

by that time. Siding unlike the weatherboards of 

the main block and two small windows are visible 

on the south side elevation.6

The addition was attached directly to the exterior 

of the house, leaving the original weatherboards 

of the main block exposed and enclosed within 

the new room (Room 108). The exterior walls of 

the new rear shed were horizontal fl ush siding, 

6. The date of the photograph is derived from the women’s 

clothing. Joan Severa and Whitney Blausen of the Costume 

Society of America. 
National Park Service 25

Part I.B - Chronology of Development and Use

a single board thick, with vertical studs exposed 

in the interior of the addition (Room 108). The 

board siding continued around the west and north 

elevations of the kitchen ell. It is plausible that the 

ell was resheathed when the addition was added, 

presumably to give a consistent appearance. The 

fl ush siding remains in place, visible at both the 

north and south exterior elevations beneath the 

1990s weatherboards.

Figure 8, Back of rear shed in the 1950s showing fl ush horizontal siding. (courtesy of Broward sisters)

In contrast, the interior partition separating the 

new room from the kitchen was the same fl ush 

board, but arranged vertically. 

Figure 9, Corner closet showing the horizontal fl ush boards 

of the exterior wall and the corner junction with the vertical fl ush boards of the interior partition wall between 

Rooms 107 and 108. (Oppermann, 2009)

These early wall treatments are still visible in a 

corner closet located in the northwest corner 

of Room 108 against the kitchen partition. The 

west wall of the closet is the early, if not original, 

horizontal fl ush-board exterior siding of the rear 

addition. The north side of the closet is the vertical 

fl ush-board partition between kitchen and addition 

(Rooms 107 &108). Triangle shelves are made of 

the same boards (Figure 9). 

Examination of early construction features beneath 

the two sections of the rear shed is hampered. 

The back of the house was built on the slope of 

a shell midden, reducing the height of the crawl 

space. Air conditioning ducts further obstruct 

inspection. In addition, all fl ooring and much of 

the framing were replaced in the 1990s, leaving 

limited and inaccessible evidence. The brick piers 

at the junction of the rear ell with the main block, 

as well as other piers of the ell, have been altered 

with replacement bricks, and others are not visible, 

leaving information from the piers inconclusive.

The piers at the south junction of the original main 

block and the shed addition remain unaltered. 

They were built as two separate and distinct piers, 

one supporting the back corner of the main block, 

the second supporting the corner of the rear shed 

addition. This corroborates other evidence for the 

later addition of the shed.

The 1920s 

The 1920s brought changes to Batten Island. In 

1916, the St. Johns River was dredged to deepen 

the channel for commercial shipping. Quantities of 

sandy dredge spoil were placed on the north bank 

of the river, adding land in front of the Broward 

House and changing the relation of the house to its 

river setting.7

A decade later, construction began on August 

Heckscher’s new road bringing automobile traffi c 

from Jacksonville. The road passed directly in front 

of the house, between the house and the fi lled 

land at the river. Construction began in 1926 and 

continued until 1929.8

7. Report on the River and Harbor [appropriation] 

Bill [1916] (H.R. 20189) (googlebooks); cargolaw.

com/2008nightmare_jaxcrane.html.

8. Before then, the Browards took the train from 

Jacksonville to Mayport where they rowed across the river 

in small boats (interviews with Broward sisters).
26 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Signifi cant changes were made to the house and 

site that may well have been associated with 

construction of the road. It was probably at this 

time that the grade of the Browards’ front yard was 

raised. A 1903 photograph of Broward with his 

daughters and the 1910-1918 photograph of the 

house both show the front porch elevated three to 

four feet above grade, requiring six steps to reach 

the porch deck; the steps were wood and extended 

the full width of the center bay (Figures 1 and 8). 

This was to change considerably. Later 

photographs show the house after the yard was 

raised (Figure 10). The fi ll reduced the height of 

the porch in relation to the ground. The porch no 

longer required the six long wooden steps shown 

in the photograph. In their stead were built three 

low brick steps fl anked by broad stepped cheek 

walls of exposed brick with fl at concrete caps, a 

style popular in the 1920s and 1930s. The fi ll 

extended beneath the house. 

Figure 10, 1903 photograph of Governor Broward and 

daughters near the southeast corner of the porch shows the 

porch pier and height of the porch. In the background is a 

picket fence and the roofl ine of Montcalm Broward’s house. 

(collection of Descendants Group)

More noteworthy were signifi cant modifi cations to 

the porch that gave a dramatically new appearance 

and proportion to the house. The sides of the 

porch were extended about three feet beyond the 

corners of the house on each side, and the front 

was extended a similar distance forward. The two 

posts fl anking the central entrance bay were moved 

forward, but not to the side. The corner posts, on 

the other hand, were moved both forward and to 

the side to support the corners of the new fi rstfl oor hipped porch roof. 

The repositioning of the corner posts created an 

elongated front bay between each end post and the 

porch’s center bay. The decorative sawn brackets 

on the front posts were retained as was the central 

pendant of the entrance bay, but the pendants of 

the two outer front bays, now elongated, were 

removed. The side-facing bays lost both the central 

pendant and the west brackets. 

The second-fl oor porch was unchanged; however, 

the relocation of the fi rst-fl oor posts left the upper 

porch posts without direct support beneath.

The date of the changes to porch and yard is not 

known, but it is likely they were made during 

construction of Heckscher’s road. The fi ll and 

grading necessary for the road probably extended 

to the Browards’ yard. The raised elevation may 

have led to the new brick steps, which were built in 

a style popular at the time, and precipitated the 

porch expansion, the second major change to the 

house. 

Figure 11, House with expanded fi rst-fl oor porch. (Undated 

photograph, Florida Memory)

The new porch was screened, but it is not known 

whether screening was installed at the time of 

the remodeling. To accommodate the screen, 

the balustrade of the earlier porch was removed; 

small sections were reused at the center bay to 

fl ank the screen door at the entrance to the porch. 

The central bay of the earlier porch had been 

open without balustrade. A 1990s photograph of 

the house shows, at the south side extension of 

the porch, a screened door opening to the west, 

leading to the side yard. At the front and sides of 
National Park Service 27

Part I.B - Chronology of Development and Use

the porch were brick foundations piers with brick 

lattice screening between the piers.

Another possible change to the house was to the 

sash of the side and rear windows of the main 

block. They are a six-over-six light confi guration 

today, but it is not clear whether these windows 

were originally two-over-two sash or six-over-six. 

The muntin design does not help identify a date as 

they were replaced in the 1990s, and as mentioned 

above, the sash were stripped of paint. 

A few minor interior changes appear to have 

been made in the 1920s as well. A coat closet 

was added to the fi rst-fl oor hall near the stairhall, 

and a doorway was added between the northeast 

bedroom and the dining room (Rooms 103 and 

104). The two-panel door and hardware help 

establish the date.

The 1930s

The Browards’ grandchildren spent frequent 

summers at the house with Annie Broward. 

In 1936 or 1937 during the Depression, one 

granddaughter lived there for a year with her 

family. As she remembers, the porch had been 

expanded and screened by that time and served 

as a sitting area; smudge pots near the screen door 

helped control the ever-present mosquitoes.9 

Inside, the central hall was fi lled with bookcases 

and hall trees. The northeast front room (Room 

103) was Annie Broward’s bedroom. Room 104 

served as the dining room. Both of the doorways 

on the west wall of Room 104 were in place, one 

leading to the kitchen (Room 107), the other to the 

rear shed addition (Room 108), which was used as 

the living room. The southern portion of Room 

108 was devoted to Annie Broward’s easel and art 

supplies. 

Behind the house were large oak trees and the well 

and pump. Near the northwest corner was a large 

oak cistern.10 

9. A smudge pot was a pot or pail fi lled generally with 

Spanish moss. When lit, the smoldering moss produced a 

small cloud of smoke to deter mosquitoes. 

10. The granddaughter, Annie Lee Hardee Tate, was born in 

1923. Her mother Enid was the third daughter of Napoleon 

and Annie.

The 1940s

In 1943 during World War II, the St. Petersburg 

Times reported that the privately-owned Heckscher 

Drive and its wooden bridges had deteriorated, 

taxes had become delinquent, and gasoline 

restrictions had cut deep into the toll revenue. The 

next year, the road was bought by the State Road 

Department and the toll booths removed, and in 

1949 a more comprehensive project was approved. 

A survey map shows the location of Heckscher 

Drive in 1949 as well as the proposed right-of-way 

of the wider, straighter road. The project moved 

the road slightly east, farther from the house. 

Remnants of the earlier shell road are still visible 

between the paved road and the fence.11 (Figure 12) 

Figure 12, Portion of 1949 plat of proposed road improvements. The Broward House with its extended porch is in 

the center. To the left is Montcalm Broward’s house, which 

later burned down. (Robert M. Angas, Civil Engineer. In 

fi les of Jacksonville Department of Public Works.

A Year-round House

In the mid-1940s after World War II, Annie 

Broward’s house in Jacksonville was crowded. 

Living with her on East Church Street were her 

son Napoleon Broward III with his wife Vivian 

and their four children, as well as Annie’s daughter 

Josephine Beckley and her two children. In 1948, 

Napoleon and Vivian moved their family to the 

house in Pilot Town to live permanently. Annie 

11. St. Petersburg Times, Oct. 24, 1943. Papers of JHS, “Fort 

George Island,” p. 92. Letter 10/27/1949 from Robert M. 

Angas, Civil Engineer, to Ernest Ricker of the Jacksonville 

Tax Assessor’s Offi ce.
28 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Broward, then about eighty years old, moved with 

them, although she frequently traveled to visit her 

daughters living in other states.12

Napoleon and Vivian’s three daughters grew up 

in the house and remember it well. Most of the 

information on the next decades is from interviews 

with the three sisters.13

Changes of the 1950s and 1960s

Several minor changes were made to the interior 

of the house in the years after the Broward family 

made it their year-round residence. None were 

signifi cant or irreversible.

Until the 1950s the house had been heated only 

with the four fi replaces in the front rooms at both 

levels. By 1959, these had been supplemented 

with individual propane space heaters, the supply 

tank installed across the driveway near the south 

property line.14

First Floor Interior

Room 103 continued its use as the bedroom of 

Annie Broward, grandmother to the three sisters, 

until her death in 1953. The other front room 

(Room 101) was the bedroom of their parents, 

Napoleon and Vivian, who in the early 1950s added 

a built-in closet on the north wall of that room just 

west of the hall door. 

The glazed door to the stairhall (Room 106) may 

have been installed in the 1950s as well. The design 

of the transom appears to be early, perhaps already 

in place when the door was installed, or perhaps a 

reused piece.

The smaller room (Room 105) behind their 

parents’ bedroom was probably converted to a 

bathroom at the same time and retains that use 

today. The toilet was on the south wall just east of 

the window where it is now; the sink was farther 

east on the same wall, a bit too close to the swing of 

the door to Room 101. Napoleon Broward made 

12. The Church Street house that the Browards built 

in 1895 was demolished in 1981. (Jacksonville Journal, 

4/29/1981)

13. The three sisters are Elsie Broward Keinast, Beth 

Broward Calhoun, and Mary Broward Weisenburgh. Their 

brother died a few years ago.

14. Jacksonville Journal, 9/25/1959, and interviews with 

Broward sisters.

many of the changes to the bathroom himself. In 

the early 1950s, he built a shower in the southwest 

corner of the bathroom, under the stairs where 

a fi rewood closet had been. The shower had a 

poured cement-like fl oor and wood enclosure 

opening to the east. The adjacent under-stair 

closet was shelved for use as a linen closet.15

Broward also installed a bathtub. Although the tub 

was manufactured as a built-in fi xture, Broward 

instead placed it near the east wall and built a 

wood support around it. The wood was wrapped 

with metal mesh and covered with a cement- or 

stucco-like material to create a wall around the 

tub with its top surface meeting the tub’s top edge. 

In appearance, it was a stucco tub with porcelain 

interior surface.

In the late 1960s, Broward built a long closet along 

the north wall of the bathroom extending to the 

west wall.

Room 104 continued to be used as the dining 

room. A new fi fteen-light French door from that 

room to the kitchen (Room 107) was installed in 

the 1950s. The doorway on the west wall of the 

dining room that opened to the rear shed addition 

(Room 108) was in place, but the door was kept 

closed with a table in front and opened only during 

holiday gatherings.

The Rear Shed

There was no parlor or living room in the main 

block of the house, the front rooms instead serving 

as bedrooms. Room 108 in the rear shed was 

called the living room. Family photographs from 

the 1950s and later show elements of the room. 

The two exterior walls were unchanged, retaining 

the same horizontal fl ush boards, one board thick, 

visible from the interior with their studs exposed. 

Windows were six-light single sash and smaller 

than those in the rest of the house. They may have 

been original to the rear shed. The two windows 

on the south side elevation appear to be the same 

size and location as those shown in the 1910-1918 

photograph (Figures 13, and 15). 

15. Interviews, Elsie Broward Keinast, Annie Lee Hardee 

Tate, Karl Zillgitt.
National Park Service 29

Part I.B - Chronology of Development and Use

Figure 13, Rear shed shown 1910-18 and ca. 1970. .

In the 1950s, a pair of fi fteen-light French doors 

was installed in the vertical-board partition 

between the living ro om (Room 108) and kitchen 

(Room 107), hinged to open into the kitchen 

(Figure 14). The doors were similar to the 

door added between dining room and kitchen 

mentioned above.

Figure 14, Looking north at vertical-board partition and 

French doors leading to kitchen. To the right is the door to 

dining room (Room 104) and weatherboarded wall of the 

original back of the house. (courtesy of Broward sisters)

Second Floor Interior

The second fl oor was much as it is today, but 

with four bedrooms and no bathroom. The only 

closet upstairs was that beneath the attic stair in 

the northwest bedroom (Room 204). In the other 

bedrooms, clothes were hung on a suspended pole 

and enclosed with a curtain.

Exterior

At an unknown time, the louvered shutters shown 

in the 1910-1918 photograph were replaced 

with board shutters. This probably was due to 

the deterioration in the harsh coastal weather. 

The Broward sisters do not remember when the 

shutters were replaced. 

Figure 15, Rear shed in about 1960 showing fenestration 

and horizontal fl ush siding. (courtesy of Broward sisters)

In 1963 a fi re destroyed the house next door to 

the south. This had been Montcalm’s house when 

the Browards made their purchase, and at the time 

of the fi re was the home of Montcalm’s son. The 

fi re raced through the house; volunteer fi remen 

turned their attention to saving the Broward 

House only ninety feet across the driveway. They 

were successful; damage was limited to blistered 

paint and darkened wood. After the fi re, the 

weatherboards on the south side of the house were 

pressure washed until feathering of the wood was 

noticed and the work stopped.16

The next year, Hurricane Dora tore through the 

area taking with her the northeast post of the upper 

porch. Dora also tore off a portion of the cupola 

roof, knocked out twenty-three window panes, and 

fl attened the fence.17

Also in the 1960s, a gutter was installed over the 

central door of the rear shed.

Widow’s Walk and Cupola

The widow’s walk and open cupola are together an 

original element of the house. Their form, size, and 

pyramidal roof remain unaltered, but the design 

of the original railing or balustrade is not known. 

Probably in the 1950s, the railing was changed from 

a square picket railing to an X-braced railing.18 

16. Jacksonville Journal, 2/23/1963, and interviews with 

Broward sisters.

17. Interviews with Broward sisters. It has been mistakenly 

reported elsewhere that the cupola deck and roof were 

changed after Dora. 

18. Photograph in Jacksonville Journal, 9/25/1959.
30 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Canvas was installed over the fl oor, either then or 

earlier, and painted. A free-standing simple plank 

bench provided seating on the east side of the 

widow’s walk, and hooks in the ceiling were used 

for Christmas lights. The hooks remain. Paint 

analysis of salvaged cupola ceiling boards stored in 

the attic was hampered by signifi cant early weathering of the wood, which reduces clear stratifi cation for study. The earliest identifi able paint color 

was white. Though not necessarily the earliest 

application, the white was followed by additional 

white layers, and later by light blue-green colors.

Changes of the 1970s and 1980s

In about 1970, a number of changes were made to 

the kitchen (Room 107). The ceiling was lowered, 

new lighting was installed, and existing sheet 

linoleum was replaced with square-tiled linoleum. 

A new washing machine was installed in the 

northwest corner of the room. On the north wall 

were the kitchen sink and cabinets between the 

two windows, fl anked by the washing machine and 

dryer. The refrigerator and stove were along the 

south partition wall, west of the French doors. The 

exterior horizontal fl ush siding was retained; the 

interior kitchen walls were covered or recovered 

with paneling or drywall. The kitchen remained 

generally unchanged until 1996.19

At about the time of the ca. 1970 kitchen 

improvements, an air conditioning window unit 

was placed in the rear shed addition (Room 108) 

and another in the parents’ front bedroom (Room 

101).

Figure 16, The interior of the screened porch in about 1980. 

(courtesy of Broward sisters)

19. Interviews with Broward sisters and 1996 photographs.

For some years before, the second-fl oor porch 

was thought to be unsafe and the door from the 

hall to the porch was kept closed. While the large 

screened porch below remained the center of 

activity, the upstairs porch was of questionable 

stability. Decades earlier when the fi rst-fl oor porch 

was extended, its original corner posts had been removed and installed at the new corners. Eventually 

the upper porch sagged due to the lack of direct 

support, the condition worsening until, in the late 

1980s, a row of four-by-four posts was installed 

within the lower porch to provide temporary support for the second-fl oor porch (Figure 17).

Figure 17, Interior of the screened porch in 1996 showing 

4-by-4s supporting second-fl oor porch. (Zillgitt)

In the 1970s, in an eff ort to prevent further damage 

from rain, rolled asphalt roofi ng was placed over 

the fl oor of the upper porch. This material was also 

used to cover the roof of the extended fi rst-fl oor 

porch and the shed roof at the back of the house.

Figure 18, Cupola railing, fl oor, and shingled base in 1996. 

(Zillgitt) 

The cupola was also in trouble. By 1994, water 

damage had caused severe deterioration to the 

canvassed wood fl oor. To protect it from rain, the 
National Park Service 31

Part I.B - Chronology of Development and Use

fl oor was covered with rolled asphalt roofi ng. The 

deteriorating weatherboarded cupola base was also 

covered with asphalt shingles continuing up from 

the main roof of the house to the bottom of the 

fl oor boards. The X-braced railing was replaced 

with a simple railing of two-by-fours (Figure 18).20 

The Back Yard, Outbuildings, and 

Creek

In the 1950s, after Napoleon Broward III and his 

family had moved to the house year-round, he 

cleared out brush and undergrowth behind the 

house to create a grassy back yard and open a 

view to the creek behind the house. Using shells 

dumped daily by oyster boats, he fi lled portions of 

the marsh to provide access to a 100-foot dock. In 

the 1970s when scallop fi sheries developed nearby, 

the boats readily agreed to dump their scallop 

tailings to be added to the creek bank.

Two tall support posts remain in the back yard near 

the creek at the south property line, remnants of 

an open equipment shed built by Napoleon III. A 

portion was enclosed for a tool shed. North of 

the open pavilion he built a smaller metal storage 

building. A few years later a brick barbeque pit was 

added near the dock. All were standing in 1989 

when the property was surveyed. 

The 1989 survey map shows the location of 

outbuildings on the property at that time (Figure 

19). In front of the property, just outside the fence 

near the pavement of Heckscher Drive, is a “dirt 

20. Zillgitt Preconstruction Application, 1996.

and shell drive,” a remnant of the road as it was 

before it was straightened in 1949 (also shown in 

Figure 20). The driveway, also dirt and shell, travels 

west along the south side of the house to a wood 

carport. Across from the back of the house and 

near the south property line is the propane gas 

tank. Closer to the creek, the survey map shows 

the open shed built by Napoleon Broward III and a 

small tin shed. Farther north is the brick barbeque 

pit. The ninety-six-foot wood dock is shown 

crossing the marsh to a covered deck at the creek 

end. Of these structures, only the barbeque pit and 

dock remain. 

Figure 19

Figure 20, 2009 aerial photograph showing the remains 

of the shell road between the house and Heckscher Drive. 

(googlemaps)

Figure 19, 1989 survey plat. (Robert Angas Engineers)
32 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Nearer the house, the well is shown in the back 

yard. The well remains operative to this day; a new 

well-head is in place.

Just north of the northwest corner of the kitchen 

ell, the survey shows an “old brick foundation” 

measuring 9’ 5” by 13’5”. This is the foundation for 

the cistern. 

1996: The House Leaves the 

Family

In 1979, the Browards put out feelers for a 

potential buyer. They contacted the State Division 

of Recreation and Parks to propose that the 

state purchase the property as an historic site; 

it had been listed in the National Register of 

Historic Places in 1972. The Division of Parks 

and Recreation consulted with the State Historic 

Preservation Offi ce; together they determined 

that although the Broward House was signifi cant 

historically, the Division should purchase 

properties that could also provide recreational 

activity to the public. The Broward House did not 

meet that criterion.21

Napoleon Broward III died in 1989. Two years 

later his wife, Vivian Senterfi t Broward, sold the 

house to Broward Craig, the son of Napoleon III’s 

sister Agnes (the second daughter of Napoleon and 

Annie Broward). Vivian Broward retained a life 

estate and continued to live in the house until her 

death in 1993.22 

Broward Craig covered the four fi replaces but 

made few other changes. After renting the house 

for several years, in 1996 he sold the property to 

Karl A. and Tracy Zillgitt for use as their principal 

residence. This was the fi rst time the house had 

left Broward family ownership since their purchase 

ninety-nine years earlier in 1897.23 

By the time of the Zillgitts’ purchase the house 

was in poor condition. They undertook a 

comprehensive rehabilitation, rebuilding the fi rstfl oor porch and completing extensive renovations 

of both exterior and interior. The Zillgitts 

21. Letters of 11/26/19979, 1/28/1980, and 2/8/1980 between 

Douglass Strickland (DRP) and Ross Morrell (SHPO).

22. Craig also owned the property immediately north.

23. Deed Book 8468, 10/18/1996. A chain of title is in 

Appendix C.

worked closely with the City of Jacksonville’s 

historic preservation offi ce in the planning 

department. The property was designated as an 

historic property and in 1999 the Zillgitts deeded 

a preservation covenant to the city, allowing the 

property an ad valorem tax exemption.

1996-2003: Exterior Work

The most dramatic change was the reconfi guration 

of the fi rst-fl oor porch. The extended porch that 

had been added so many years earlier was removed 

and a new porch constructed in a design intended 

to match the upper porch in size and detail. At the 

time of the renovation, no photograph of the early 

porch had been found.

According to interviews with Karl Zillgitt, the 

decorative sawn brackets on the porch posts were 

repaired with portions replaced. In most of the 

brackets, the center straight pieces (those forming 

the X within a square) were in poor condition and 

replaced with reproductions. The scroll-cut pieces 

of the post brackets were in better condition and 

were reused (Figure 21).

Figure 21, Porch post brackets showing replaced straight 

“X” pieces and repaired scroll-cut elements.. (Oppermann, 

2009)

The reconstructed fi rst-fl oor porch required a 

new balustrade. At that time the second-fl oor 

porch retained its original balustrade; however, 

when the fi rst-fl oor porch had been expanded and 

screened decades earlier, only two short sections 

of balustrade had been retained at that level. 

During the 1996-2003 project, the new sections 

of balustrade needed for the fi rst-fl oor were 

reproduced from the second-fl oor originals. An 

attempt was made to install original sections on the 
National Park Service 33

Part I.B - Chronology of Development and Use

fi rst-fl oor porch and to use the reproduction pieces 

on the second-fl oor porch.

New front steps and cheek walls were built to 

match the brick steps in place in 1996. The rolled 

asphalt material was removed from the fl oor of 

the upper porch, and the fl ooring at both levels 

was replaced. The roof of the porch was repaired 

and covered with composition shingles, as was the 

roof of the rear shed. The roof of the main block 

was also reshingled with composition shingles, 

retaining the early wood shakes beneath. 

Figure 22, Porches in 1996 showing sagging roof. (Zillgitt)

According to Karl Zillgitt, the water collection 

system still in place in 1996 was a sort of built-in 

gutter. Although he is unclear on the details, he 

believes it was an open shallow channel, copperlined, that encircled the roof. By then, only one 

downspout was in place, located at the northwest 

corner of the main block and emptying into the 

cistern. A second downspout had been removed; 

it is visible in an earlier photograph perhaps taken 

in the 1970s. Today, evidence of a built-in gutter is 

visible in the change in pitch near the edges of the 

main roof. The 1960s gutter over the back door 

was also removed. No replacement gutter system 

was installed.24 

At the eaves, the decorative cornice brackets at the 

west (back) side of the main block were especially 

deteriorated. They were made of two parts. The 

upper portions were retained, while the lower 

portions had more damage and were replaced with 

milled reproductions. The brackets on the other 

three elevations of the house were retained. 

24. Interviews, Karl Zillgitt.

Figure 23, Cornice brackets of cupola

Several areas of the cupola required repair. The 

roofi ng shingles covering the side walls of the base 

of the cupola were removed and the weatherboards 

re-exposed and repaired. A new balustrade was 

installed to match that of the front porches, fi xed 

to new corner posts with square caps. The cupola 

roof was re-shingled with composition shingles 

matching those installed on the main block, porch, 

and shed roofs. The lower portions of three eave 

brackets of the cupola were replaced (Figure 23). 

The wood fl oor, painted canvas, and roof sheeting 

were removed from the fl oor, replaced with a 

waterproof lining and tongue-and-groove wood 

fl oor, and painted.

The mid-century board-and-batten shutters were 

removed from the front of the house and replaced 

with reproduction louvered shutters and hinges. 

These were based on a three-panel shutter found in 

the attic and a two-panel shutter found under the 

house. The hinges are smaller than the originals 

and shutters are thicker. The board-and-batten 

shutters on the sides and back of the house were 

not replaced, but their hinges were replaced 

with the same hinges used on the front louvered 

shutters.

Window openings of the main block were not 

altered; however, the sash of all windows were 
34 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

removed, chemically stripped, and repainted. The 

muntins of the six-over-six windows were replaced 

with reproduction muntins, but the sashes and 

window glass were retained . The two-over-two 

windows on front and stairwell were not altered. 

Sash weights of all windows were cleaned and 

replaced; new sash cords were installed.25

Although the window openings of the main block 

remained unchanged, signifi cant fenestration 

and surface changes were made to the rear shed. 

Window openings were retained in the same 

locations but enlarged for new, taller, double-hung 

one-over-one sash to replace the earlier six-light 

sash. The fl ush horizontal exterior boards were 

covered with weatherboards similar to those of the 

main house and a skirt was added. Exposed rafter 

ends were covered (Figure 24) 

Figure 24, Back of house showing replacement windows 

and weatherboard siding added 1996-2003. (Oppermann, 

2009)

Central heating and cooling systems were added to 

the house for the fi rst time. During the Browards’ 

ownership, heat had been supplied by the four 

wood-burning fi replaces and propane space 

heaters. The new systems were designed with two 

heat pumps to heat and cool the house. One air 

handler and ductwork was placed under the house, 

another in the attic.

The electrical system and all wiring was replaced. 

A new plumbing system was installed. Water, 

though not potable without an aerator, is supplied 

by a deep aquifer water well located behind the 

25. Interviews, Karl Zillgitt. He recalls that original muntins 

were retained in one of the north windows in Room 203; 

however, no original muntins were evident.

house. Sewage is handled by a septic tank behind 

the southwest corner of the house.

1996-2003: Interior Work 

Relatively few changes had been made to the 

interior of the house by the Browards, and most 

interior walls and partitions still retained their 

plaster surfaces. Before 1996, only one room 

had been drywalled, the southeast bedroom on 

the second fl oor (Room 201). All ceilings on the 

second fl oor had been drywalled, but all fi rst-fl oor 

ceilings were plaster. During the project, plaster 

walls were repaired with plaster and skim-coated. 

Drywall was added to the closet beneath the main 

stairs.

The built-in closet in the southeast front room 

(Room 101) was removed. The fi replaces in the 

four front rooms that had been boarded over 

were reopened for use. Steel liners were installed 

in the fl ues and new fi rebricks were added to the 

fi reboxes and plastered. 

The fi rst-fl oor bathroom (Room 105) was retained, 

with a new lowered drywall ceiling installed to hide 

the pipes of the two new bathrooms immediately 

above. The long built-in closet was removed 

from the north wall and a reproduction sink was 

installed on the west wall. The cement- or stuccofl oored shower was removed. When built, it had 

been poured onto the wood fl oor causing rot 

and termite damage and requiring the fl oor to be 

replaced. The new fl oor was milled from one-foot 

heart pine beams found in the back yard; they 

may have been salvaged in 1963 from Montcalm’s 

burned house next door. The west wall of the 

bathroom was then extended south to create a long 

closet under the stairs to the south wall. A dryer 

was installed in the shower space and a washing 

machine was installed on the north wall. The linen 

shelves were removed. 

The bathtub with its cement or stuccoed 

surrounding wall was also removed. It too had 

rotted the fl oorboards beneath the tub. A salvaged 

and refi nished clawfoot tub was installed in the 

same location, set on a replacement section of fl oor 

laid with hexagonal ceramic tiles.26 

26. Interviews, Karl Zillgitt.
National Park Service 35

Part I.B - Chronology of Development and Use

Figure 25, Salvaged bathtub on tile fl oor at the east wall of 

Room 105. (Oppermann, 2009)

On the second fl oor, the smaller of the south 

bedrooms was partitioned to create two bathrooms 

(Rooms 205A and 205B), one opening to the front 

room (Room 201), the other to the hall. One or 

two of the Browards’ bathroom fi xtures were 

retained, but most fi xtures are salvaged pieces 

bought in Jacksonville and refi nished; others are 

reproductions. A doorway was added between the 

front room (Room 201) and bathroom (205B.) 

Throughout the house, door hinges were replaced 

with some salvaged but mostly reproduction 

pieces. All interior locks were retained, but the 

front door lock was replaced with a salvaged lock 

and doorknob. Reproduction registers and returns 

for the mechanical system were installed. 

Considerable changes were made to the interior of 

the rear shed addition (Room 108). A new interior 

surface of gypsum wall board was installed on 

the two exterior walls (south and west) where the 

exterior horizontal fl ush-board siding and vertical 

studs had previously been visible. Insulation 

was added to the walls and a wainscot and chair 

rail applied. A new ceiling of gypsum board was 

installed, and the central back door to the exterior 

was replaced. The corner closet was retained with 

its earlier paint and fl ush boards left undisturbed. 

The vertical board partition between Room 108 

and the kitchen was retained but altered. The 

easternmost end of the partition (adjacent to the 

main block) and the area above the doorway were 

kept in place. The French doors were removed; 

the opening was extended to the west wall with a 

counter installed beneath. The vertical boards of 

the partition remain exposed in Room 108. The 

weatherboard wall of the main house also remains 

exposed there. 

The kitchen (Room 107) was reconfi gured and 

updated with new appliances, sink, counters, and 

cabinets. The linoleum fl oor was replaced with 

square ceramic tiles. A patterned surface was 

applied to the ceilings of both rooms. Only two 

outbuildings and the barbeque pit were remaining 

in 1996. The carport and barbeque pit were 

retained, and the long open pavilion with tool shed 

was demolished.

Figure 26, After completion, 2003. (Zillgitt)

2004: The Park Service

On July 29, 2004, Karl Zillgitt sold the property to 

the Florida Trust for Public Land. The same day, 

the Trust sold the property to the National Park 

Service to be added to the Timucuan Ecological 

and Historic Preserve. The transaction was 

the result of a partnership between the City of 

Jacksonville, the State of Florida, the National Park 

Service, and the Trust for Public Land.27

A signifi cant alteration of the land was made 

in the summer of 2004 when an extensive soil 

removal project was conducted for the Trust for 

Public Land, its purpose to remove soil possibly 

aff ected by the lead-based paint on the house. 

Seventy-eight tons of soil were removed from 

near the west, north and east sides of the house. 

The depth of excavation averaged approximately 

one foot, which was then backfi lled with clean 

27. NPS press release, 7/30/2004.
36 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Since 2007 the house has been used as the offi ces 

of the Nature Conservancy.

Figure 28, View from cupola blocked by 2008 boat storage 

facility. (Oppermann, 2009)

imported fi ll material to match the existing grade. 

Unfortunately, no archaeological examination 

or testing was conducted prior to the project. 

Although the equipment operators noticed no 

obvious artifacts, the project destroyed any 

evidence of early features in these areas, as well as 

information on the extent and details of the 1920s 

raising of the front yard.28

The carport was removed. The wellhead, barbecue 

pit, dock, and two posts from Napoleon Broward 

III’s shed remain, as well as a new metal storage 

shed added by the Park Service. 

Figure 27, View across back yard towards Shad Creek. (Oppermann, 2009)

In 2008, the Park Service fabricated replacement 

board-and-batten shutters for the north side and 

the second-fl oor rear (west) elevation of the house, 

and installed metal caps on the chimneys.

The Broward House’s setting and relation to the 

river was to change again. In 2007, after years 

of strong opposition from Fort George property 

owners, a massive three-story dry storage facility 

for boats was built directly across Heckscher 

Drive from the Broward House (Figure 28). It is 

the largest building on Fort George and Batten 

islands, sitting well above the tree line and grossly 

incompatible with its surroundings. It overwhelms 

the Broward House and blocks views of the St. 

Johns River from the house.29

28. Letter report of 7/22/2004 from Barksdale & Associates, 

Pensacola, to Pete Fodor, Florida Counsel, The Trust for 

Public Land, Tallahassee.

29. The boat facility is part of the Fort George Harbour 

Marina and Yacht Club, owned by Yacht Clubs of America.
National Park Service 37 

Timeline

Timeline

Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, Jr., the governor, is identifi ed as NBB.

Napoleon Bonaparte Broward III, son of NBB, is identifi ed as NBB III.

1513 Spanish explorers claim “La Florida” for Spain; ultimately destroy the Timucuan tribes.

1562-65 French explorers claim the area, name the river the May, establish Fort Caroline. The 

Spanish destroy the fort. River becomes known as the Rio de San Juan for the Spanish 

mission San Juan del Puerto near the mouth.

1763 Spain cedes Florida to Great Britain. 

1783 Britain returns Florida to Spain.

1814 Zephaniah Kingsley establishes working plantation on Fort George Island.

1820 St. Johns Bar Pilot Association created. 

1821 Spain cedes Florida to United States; Florida becomes United States territory.

1829 First steamboat arrives at port of Jacksonville.

1840s Amander Parsons, grandfather of NBB, operates sawmill at Mayport.

1845 Florida becomes a state; Jacksonville is a growing port for timber and cotton.

by 1847 Community of bar pilots develops on Batten Island; named Pilot Town.

1851 Mary Dorcas Parsons marries NBB, Sr.

1857 Birth of Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, Jr. (NBB).

1867 Birth of Annie Isabell Douglass. 

NBB moves with his parents to Duval County.

1860s Jacksonville becoming winter tourist destination. Northern investors expand lumber 

industry, revive St. Johns River commerce.

1869 John F. Rollins of New Hampshire buys Fort George Island; sells tracts to northerners. 

1873 Fort George Island platted for winter homesites; heavily promoted.

1875 Fort George Hotel built.
38 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

by 1877 Boat landing in place at Pilot Town

1877 Fort George Island platted for additional lots.

 John & Ruth Johnson sell parcel of land in Pilot Town to Laura M. Gilbert, wife of 

Jonathan Gilbert.

1878 Gilberts build the house. Two-story frame, deck-hipped roof with widow’s walk and 

open cupola, inset two-tiered porches, one-story rear ell.

 NBB starts working tugboats on the St. Johns River.

1880 Construction begins on jetties at mouth of St. Johns River.

1883 NBB marries Georgiana Kemp; wife and child die later that year.

 NBB licensed as a bar pilot; known as Captain Broward.

 NBB becomes partner on steamer the Kate Spencer making tourist landings at Pilot Town 

dock.

1887 NBB marries Annie Douglass, builds two-story frame house on E. Church Street in 

Jacksonville.

 NBB buys small lumber yard and gristmill but continues to work on the river.

1888 NBB appointed sheriff of Duval County.

 Yellow fever epidemic. Fire destroys Fort George Hotel. Tourism plummets.

1890 NBB elected sheriff of Duval County.

1895 NBB elected to Jacksonville City Council.

 St. Johns River dredged to deepen channel to port of Jacksonville.

 NBB & Annie build larger house on E. Church St. in Jacksonville next door to their 1887 

house.

1896 Broward, brother Montcalm, and friend George DeCottes build tugboat named the The 

Three Friends. 

 First of The Three Friends’ voyages to Cuba.

1897 NBB & Annie purchase Pilot Town house from Mary G. Gilbert.

1900 NBB elected to Florida House of Representatives.

1901 The Great Fire burns downtown Jacksonville; offi cial records & deeds destroyed.

Montcalm asks NBB whether he wishes to rent his house in Pilot Town.
National Park Service 39 

Timeline

1903-10 Family photographs show Broward and family at Pilot Town.

1904 NBB elected governor. Popular campaign booklet includes autobiography & tales of The 

Three Friends.

by 1910-18 Rear shed added to existing kitchen ell of Broward House. 

1910-1918 Earliest known photograph of the house. Date range indicated by style of clothing in the 

photograph. Photo shows the early double-gallery porch, south end of rear shed addition, 

two-over-two window sash on front elevation, louvered shutters on both front and side, 

wood front steps, and yard elevation.

1910 NBB elected to State House; never serves.

March 1910 NBB III born, ninth child and only son of NBB and Annie.

Oct. 1910 NBB dies. 

1916 River channel is dredged; dredge spoil deposited on north bank.

1923-28 Army and Navy Club built on Fort George Island, later expanded. Ribault Club built on 

site of 1875 Fort George Hotel.

1926-29 August Heckscher builds bridges & toll road connecting Jacksonville to Batten Island and 

to the developments on Fort George Island. Road passes in front of Broward House. 

1920s? Grade of Broward House front yard raised.

1920s? First-fl oor porch extended to front and sides. At the same or similar time, new brick steps 

are built to replace wider wood steps. Raised grade of yard now requires only 3 steps 

instead of the former 6. At the same time or later, fi rst-fl oor porch is screened; most of 

sawn balustrade removed leaving two sections fl anking central screen door. Second-fl oor 

porch unchanged.

 Probably at this time, doorway is added between fi rst-fl oor bedroom and dining room 

(Rooms 103 & 104), and coat closet is added to fi rst-fl oor hall near stair hall.

1936-37 Daughter Enid’s family spends winter at the house.

1944 Heckscher Drive, then still a private toll road, bought by State Road Department.

1948 NBB’s son NBB III, wife Vivian Broward, their 4 children, and NBB’s widow Annie 

Broward move into house as year-round residence.

1949 Heckscher Drive widened, straightened, and moved slightly east of the house. Remnants 

of earlier shell road remain.

1953 Annie Douglass Broward dies.

1950s-70s Family photographs show elements of back of house, both interior and exterior. Rear 

(west) elevation has horizontal fl ush-board siding and six-light sash.
40 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

1950s About this time, square picket balustrade of cupola is replaced with X-braced railing. 

Painted canvas installed over cupola fl oor as weatherproofi ng.

1950s 15-light French door installed in doorway between dining room and kitchen (Rooms 104 

& 107); pair of 15-light French doors installed in partition between kitchen and rear shed 

addition (Rooms 107 & 108). 

1950s NBB III clears back yard of underbrush, builds storage sheds in back yard, clears marsh 

banks and opens dock access.

by 1959 Propane space heaters added to supplement fi replaces as heat sources.

1950s-60s? Louvered shutters replaced with board-and-batten shutters on front, sides, and secondstory rear.

1950s-60s NBB III adds closet to north wall of fi rst-fl oor SE bedroom (Room 101), converts wood 

storage closet in bathroom (Room 105) to a poured cement or stucco shower and shelved 

linen closet, adds long closet to north wall of bathroom, installs bathtub with cement or 

stucco support wall.

1960s Gutter installed over center doorway of rear elevation.

1963 Fire destroys house next door to the south, blisters paint of south elevation of Broward 

House. Pressure washing causes siding to feather until work is stopped.

1964 Hurricane Dora removes second-story NE porch post, damages cupola roof, window 

panes, fence. 

ca. 1970 Kitchen ceiling lowered, new lighting added, walls covered with drywall or paneling, new 

linoleum covers fl oor (Room 107).

 Air conditioning window units added to fi rst-fl oor SE bedroom (Room 101) and to rear 

shed addition (Room 108).

1972 House listed in National Register of Historic Places.

1979 Browards off er property for sale to State Division of Recreation and Parks.

Late 1980s 4-by-4 support posts installed in fi rst-fl oor porch beneath posts of second-fl oor porch.

1989 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward III dies.

Survey plat of property shows outbuildings. 

1991 Vivian Broward sells house to Broward Craig, nephew of NBB III; retains life estate.

1993 Vivian Broward dies.

By 1994 Rolled asphalt roofi ng applied to water-damaged cupola fl oor. Weatherboarded cupola 

base is covered with asphalt roofi ng shingles continuing up from the roof of the house. 

X-braced railing of cupola replaced with 2-by-4 railing.
National Park Service 41 

Timeline

1993-96 House rented as residence. Fireplaces covered.

1996 House leaves Broward family ownership for the fi rst time since their 1897 purchase when 

Broward Craig sells house to Karl & Tracy Zillgitt. 

1999 Property receives local historic designation; preservation covenant deeded to City of 

Jacksonville enabling ad valorem tax exemption. 

1996-2003 Extensive rehabilitation of the house. First-fl oor porch rebuilt to match confi guration 

and details of second-fl oor porch. Reproductions made of missing porch balustrade 

and rotted portions of porch & eave brackets. Roofi ng shingles removed from cupola 

base. New cupola balustrade installed to match porch balustrade. Floors of cupola & 

both porches replaced. Reproduction louvered shutters installed on front elevation 

based on salvaged shutters stored in attic & under the house. All roofs covered with 

composition shingles. New brick front steps built similar to those in place in 1996 and 

brick lattice placed between porch piers. Exterior wood surfaces stripped and repainted. 

Weatherboards installed over fl ush-board siding of rear shed. New, taller one-over-one 

windows installed on rear shed. Gutter over rear doorway removed & rafters covered. 

Equipment sheds in back yard demolished; carport, dock, and barbeque pit retained. 

Interior changes include addition of central heat and air conditioning system, rewiring, 

and replacement & expansion of plumbing system. 

In the main block, interior plaster walls & ceilings patched. Fireplaces reopened. 

Retained, salvaged, and reproduction door & window hardware installed. Window 

muntins of six-over-six windows replaced; all window sash removed and chemically 

stripped. All wood trim chemically stripped. All added closets removed except fi rst-fl oor 

coat closet. First-fl oor bathroom ceiling lowered (Room 105) to accommodate plumbing 

of new bathrooms above; cement or stucco bathtub replaced; cement or stucco shower 

and linen shelves removed from under-stair bathroom closet, washing machine and dryer 

installed in closet. Second-fl oor bedroom partitioned into two bathrooms (Rooms 205 

A&B) and doorway added between Room 201 and 205B. Most bathroom fi xtures are 

salvaged, some retained, some reproduction. 

In the rear shed, interior changes to kitchen (Room 107) include redesigned layout, new 

cabinets, appliances, ceramic tile fl oor, drywall. Board walls of rear addition (Room 108) 

insulated & covered with drywall, wainscot, and chair rail. New wood fl oor installed. 

Central back exterior door replaced with fl ush-panel door. Portions of vertical-board 

partition between Rooms 107 & 108 retained with French doors removed and opening 

expanded. Corner cupboard in Room 108 retained with earlier horizontal and vertical 

siding remaining exposed inside. Original weatherboarded rear wall of main block 

retained in Room 108.

2004 Zillgitt sells property to Florida Trust for Public Land; TPL then sells to National Park 

Service to be added to Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve.

2004 Extensive removal of one-foot depth of soil from areas around house. Backfi lled with 

imported soil; destroys evidence of early features.

Carport removed. Metal storage shed added to back yard.

2007 Nature Conservancy’s regional offi ce occupies the house.
42 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

2007 Massive boat storage facility built directly across Heckscher Drive, blocking view of river.

2008 NPS replaces board-and-batten shutters on north side and second-story rear; installs 

chimney caps.

2010 Historic Structure Report prepared. 
National Park Service 43

 Part I.C - Physical Description

I.C Physical Description

Though the house is oriented to face the southeast 

of magnetic north, for the purposes of this report 

the house is described as facing east.

The term Main Block is used to refer to the twostory section of the house. The term Rear Shed 

refers to the one-story shed at the rear.

Unless otherwise indicated, photographs were 

taken by the author in 2009.

General Description

Site

This area of northwest Florida has a semi-tropical 

climate and is composed of several closely set 

islands separated by marshland, creeks, and the St. 

Johns River. The terrain is fl at with sandy soil. 

The Broward House is sited facing approximately 

southeast toward the St. Johns River, just 130 yards 

away. Heckscher Drive runs northeast-southwest 

approximately 100 feet in front of the house.

Figure 1, Map of Batten Island across the marsh just south 

of Fort George Island. Dot marks the Broward House. 

(Mayport Quadrangle, USGS, 1994)

Directly across Heckscher Drive is the Fort George 

Harbour Marina and Yacht Club and its threestory boat storage building.

The grounds of the Broward House consist of 

mowed grass on all sides, the back yard stretching 

to the marsh and waterfront of Shad Creek. A shell 

drive enters the property from Heckscher Drive 

and runs along the south side of the house. A 

Victorian reproduction, wood picket fence bounds 

the property on the north and east.

Figure 2, Gravel drive at the south side of the house, 

looking east toward Heckscher Drive.

Close by, just 1'-7" to the north of the house, are 

the remains of the brick walls of the house cistern. 

The brick walls, just one wythe thick, measure in 

plan 13'-6" by 9'-4".

Though the property site is generally level, the 

house site proper has a slight rise from east to west, 

refl ecting a midden site located below the west 

end of the house. At its west end, the fl oor level of 

the house is only about 1'-6" above grade. At the 

east end, fl oor level is about 2'-0" above grade. In 

the 1920s the house site received between one and 

two feet of fi ll, probably in association with the 

construction of Heckscher Drive. Then in 2004 the 

soil immediately around the house was removed at 

a depth of one foot for fear of contamination from 

lead paint, and replaced with new soil.
44 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Exterior

The Broward House is comprised of two major 

building components, a Main Block, squarish in 

plan and two stories in height, and a long, narrow, 

one-story Rear Shed that runs along the entire rear 

elevation of the Main Block. 

Both components are frame construction clad in 

weatherboards with 4" exposure. The corners of 

both building components are delineated with a 

pair of unadorned plank boards set vertically. Both 

building components are raised a short distance 

above grade on brick piers. 

The Main Block is the much larger of the two, 

measuring about 38' wide by some 30' deep. It 

is also much taller, rising well above its two 

occupation levels. The shingled, low-pitched, 

deck-hipped roof extends out away from the 

exterior walls on deep eaves supported by boldlyformed sawn brackets; at the center of the roof is a 

large square widow's walk with an ornately scrolled 

balustrade; at the center of the widow's walk is 

an open cupola, its low pyramidal roof resting on 

smaller but similarly bold eave brackets. 

Figure 3, East elevation.

Figure 4, Broward House looking southeast toward the Fort 

George Harbour Yacht Club building.

The wide east elevation is the principal façade. 

It is the public façade facing the road and the 

river beyond. A three-bay, double-gallery porch 

spans its full width and is ornately decorated 

with chamfered posts, scroll-cut post brackets, 

balustrade and fi ligree. The fenestration opening 

onto the double-gallery porch is symmetrically 

organized identically on each level; the center 

doorway has two evenly-spaced fl anking twoover-two windows with louvered shutters. The 

fi rst-fl oor doorway is the house's public entry 

point; a gate in the fence along Heckscher Drive 

opens onto a brick walkway that leads directly in 

a straight line towards the front doorway, up three 

brick steps onto the center bay of the porch and 

to the doorway beyond. This is the only façade of 

either building component that is symmetrically 

organized, a formal arrangement befi tting its public 

exposure and public entrance. The double-gallery 

porch in all its grandeur is clearly the single-most 

important architectural feature of the building's 

exterior. 

The other three elevations of the Main Block are of 

secondary importance as refl ected in architectural 

composition. At the north and south elevations 

there are no doorways and no special architectural 

embellishments other than the eave brackets 

and the windows. The fi rst- and second-fl oor 

windows are placed over each other but there is 

not a clear predictable pattern for placement; at 

the rear elevation, the exterior wall at fi rst fl oor 

is now entirely covered by the Rear Shed and 

at the second fl oor the arrangement is the most 

unbalanced of any elevation. The windows of both 

fl oor levels of these three elevations are six-oversix sash, in contrast to the two-over-two sash of 

the front elevation and the mid-level landing of the 

stair hall.

Figure 5, North elevation showing the Rear Shed.
National Park Service 45

 Part I.C - Physical Description

The Rear Shed, extensively rebuilt in 1996-2003, 

retains its Governor Broward-era form and 

massing but a great deal of the exterior building 

material has been removed or covered. It now has 

weatherboard atop the fl ush siding. The single 

six-light sash window openings were enlarged 

and modern one-over-one sash windows were 

installed. The two exterior doorways on the 

west wall were retained though rebuilt; the north 

doorway has an early to mid-twentieth century 

door and the center doorway has a modern fl ushpanel door.

All total the Main Block, with its tall two-over-two 

windows, arched-paneled door, door hardware, a 

regular pattern of fenestration, architectural trim, 

deep eaves, ornate roof brackets, and low-pitched 

hipped-deck roof with cupola, most closely 

resembles the Italianate style of architecture. 

Expressions of this style break down on the 

secondary elevations.

Judging from the door hardware, a doorway was 

added between the other fi rst-fl oor front Room 

103-Northeast Offi ce and Room 104-Northwest 

Offi ce immediately behind it in about the 

1920s. (Room 104-Northwest Offi ce was used 

as the dining room by the Broward family.) Karl 

and Tracy Zillgitt bought the house in 1996. 

They added a doorway between front Room 

201-Southeast Offi ce and Room 205, immediately 

behind, when the latter room was divided to create 

two bathrooms.

There is a hierarchy of architectural embellishment 

among the rooms themselves, the four front or east 

rooms being the most important; each of these 

four rooms has a fi replace, the design of each being 

identical. And of these four rooms, the two at fi rst 

fl oor are the most important, befi tting rooms more 

likely to be seen by the visiting public; each of these 

two fi rst-fl oor rooms has a cast plaster cornice. As 

with all the fi rst-fl oor rooms, the ceiling height is 

also taller than those of the more private secondfl oor rooms.

Interior Organization

The interior of the Main Block is organized on a 

center hall plan with two principal rooms on each 

side at both levels. Originally, each of these eight 

principal rooms connected only to the adjoining 

hall with two exceptions. There was a doorway 

between Room 101-Reception Room, probably 

a parlor, and the room immediately behind, 

Room 105-Bathroom. And Room 104-Northwest 

Offi ce in the northwest corner of the Main Block, 

which then and now connects to the west via two 

doorways. The southmost doorway originally 

connected a porch, probably; it now connects to 

an early addition, Room 108-Conference Room of 

the Rear Shed. The northmost doorway originally 

connected to the Kitchen Ell, a room still used as 

the Kitchen, but now Room 107 of the Rear Shed. 

Figure 6, First fl oor plan.

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

0' 10'

1' 20'

2' 4'

3' 5'

201

202

204 203

206

205A

205B

PLAN

NORTHNORTH

MAGNETIC

Figure 7, Second fl oor plan.

Figure 8, Attic fl oor plan.
46 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

A stairway connecting the fi rst and second fl oors 

is located in the southwest corner and is oriented 

perpendicular to the hall. 

An enclosed stairway to the Attic is situated at the 

west end of the second-fl oor hall. The straight run 

of stairs is off set to the north side of the hall and 

runs parallel to it. A fi xed-ladder stair at the center 

of the Attic provides access to the widow's walk 

and cupola. 

Originally there was a one-story ell off the back 

of the Main Block, the north exterior walls of 

both building sections in alignment. The Ell 

probably was just one room, the Kitchen. The 

Kitchen directly connected via a doorway to Room 

104-Northwest Offi ce, known to be used as the 

dining room by the Broward family. A second 

doorway in the west wall of Room 104-Northwest 

Offi ce probably connected originally to a porch 

along the south side of the Ell. At some point, 

apparently before the death of Governor Broward, 

the Ell was expanded southward to span across the 

entire west end of the Main Block forming what 

is referred to in this report as the Rear Shed. As 

the north end of this Rear Shed, the room of the 

original Ell, Room 107-Kitchen, continued to serve 

as the Kitchen for the Broward Family as it does 

today. The large added space of the Rear Shed, 

Room 108-Conference Room, was used by the 

Broward family as its living room.

The house is organized so that interaction with 

the public is at the east side of the house through 

the fi rst-fl oor doorway. This east elevation is the 

most formal, most architecturally developed, with 

its ornate symmetrical double-gallery porch, as 

discussed in the section immediately before. At the 

center of the fi rst-fl oor porch is the main entrance 

to the house; appropriately it is the largest doorway 

with the most ornate door. Entry through this 

door into the house connects with the central hall 

fl anked by the two most grand rooms of the house.

Construction Characteristics

Structural Systems

Brick Piers

Aligned along the perimeter of the Main Block, 

the double-gallery porch and at least part of the 

original Kitchen Ell are the original 1877 brick 

piers. Those of the Main Block perimeter typically 

measure 8" by 1'-10" with spacing between piers 

alternating between about 5'–6" and about 4'–6" 

except at the north side where both piers and 

spacing are longer, apparently associated with the 

connection of the Main Block with the original 

Kitchen Ell. The four piers of the double-gallery 

porch (which consists of a single row of piers at the 

east side) are set immediately below the four sets 

of porch columns and are larger, measuring 1'–0" 

by 1'–10" at the two center positions and equally 

deep and longer in an L-shape at the corners. 

The original piers also remain below the north 

and south walls of the center hall. Here the piers 

measure 8" by 2'–3". The original bases of the two 

chimney stacks are also intact, each measuring 

2'–3" by 4'–8". All are made of the same tan-brown 

bricks though there apparently has been some 

minor replacement of individual bricks. The infi ll 

brick lattice work was added between the porch 

piers in 1996-2003, mimicking the work done in 

the 1920s when the larger porch was constructed.

Figure 9, Pier plan.

Figure 10, Original brick porch piers on the east elevation 

with twentieth-century brick lattice infi ll.
National Park Service 47

 Part I.C - Physical Description

Figure 11, The westernmost pier of the north elevation of 

the Main Block is also the easternmost pier of the original 

Kitchen Ell.

Figure 12, The westernmost pier of the south elevation of 

the Main Block abutting the easternmost pier of the Rear 

Shed.

The westernmost pier of the north elevation of 

the Main Block is also the easternmost pier of the 

north elevation of the original Kitchen Ell. The 

two other piers of the north elevation of the Ell 

are not as large as the adjoining north elevation 

piers of the Main Block, measuring 8" by 1' – 6" 

as opposed to 8" by about 2'–2", and the spacing 

between piers is shorter, measuring about 6'–2" as 

opposed to about 7'–0", but the all these piers of 

the north elevation appear to be made of the same 

type of brick. In addition to the northernmost 

pier of the west elevation (which is also the 

westernmost most pier of the north elevation), the 

third and fourth piers towards the south along the 

west elevation also appear to be made of the same 

type of brick; both piers measure about 1'–0" by 

1'–0" and align with what is believed to have been 

the original south-side porch of the Kitchen Ell. 

The second pier from the north end in this group 

appears to be greatly modifi ed or even added.

Most of the brick piers along the west and south 

sides of the expanded section (which is Room 

108-Conference Room) of the Rear Shed appear 

to date to that period of construction, believed to 

be during the late-nineteenth or early-twentieth 

centuries. Unlike the north elevation where there 

is one pier spanning between the Ell and the Main 

House, the easternmost pier of the south elevation 

of the Rear Shed is a separate brick pier abutting 

the westernmost pier of the Main House.

Exterior Walls

At the Main Block, the perimeter walls are wood 

frame construction, covered with weatherboard 

siding on the exterior and the original plaster on 

wood lath on the interior. Though the framing 

is inaccessible for inspection, the 6" wall depth 

indicates a 4" deep wall stud, probably measuring 

2" by 4"; the spacing between studs is unknown.

At the Rear Shed, the wall framing is also wood 

frame. Though believed to date from two 

construction periods, the north section (Room 

107-Kitchen), which is thought to have been the 

original Kitchen in an attached ell and the south 

section (Room 108-Conference Room) thought 

to date to a couple or three decades later, both 

appear to have wall framing measuring about 2" 

by 4". Both sections are known to have 3⁄4" thick 

tongue-and-groove siding now covered with 

weatherboards on the exterior surfaces. Both now 

have gypsum board panels on the interior surfaces.

Interior Walls

The interior walls of the Main Block also have a 

6" depth indicating a wood stud with a 4" depth, 

probably measuring 2" by 4", with unknown 

spacing, covered on both sides with plaster on 

wood lath.

The one interior wall of the Rear Shed has a 

three-inch depth. On its south side is the early 

3⁄4" tongue-and-groove board surface arranged 
48 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

vertically; on the north side is gypsum board. 

Presumably this was a board wall that later had 

gypsum board added along with spacers to give 

depth and provide a nailing surface.

Figure 13, Weatherboards form the east walls of Room 

108-Conference Room of the Rear Shed. Exposed vertical 

boards form the south side of the dividing wall between 

Room 107-Kitchen and Room 108-Conference Room of the 

Rear Shed.

Flooring Systems

Joists of the fi rst fl oor of the Main Block span 

north-south and are set 18" on center. The sashsawn joists measure 2" by 73⁄4 " and are set on 

fl oor plates measuring 7" by 81⁄2 ". A section of 

the south wall plate below the bathroom (Room 

105-Bathroom), damaged by a long-term plumbing 

leak, was replaced with four sistered 2" by 8"s in 

1996-2003. A slump remains in the fl ooring of 

the room above. Joist ends are notched to overlap 

the fl oor plates. The joists span the short distance 

between the exterior wall piers to the central hall 

piers. There is no subfl ooring. Flooring in all 

rooms at both fl oor levels is pine, tongue-andgroove measuring 1" by 31⁄4 ". 

The second-fl oor joists also measure about 2" by 3" 

and span from the north and south exterior walls 

to the adjoining central corridor wall respectively. 

Joists supporting the Attic fl oor measure 2" in 

width, 5" in depth and are set between 12" and 16" 

on center.

The joists of the Rear Shed run east-west, 

perpendicular to those of the Main Block. Though 

they are inaccessible, they appear more tightly 

spaced than those of the Main Block. 

Roofi ng Systems

The original roof framing of the Main Block 

remains in place. The rafters measure 2" by 5" 

and are set 32" on center to form the hipped-deck 

roof. The rafters are sash-sawn on the long side 

and circular sawn on the short side. Ridge beams 

measure 2" by 7". Two support posts beneath 

each ridge beam measure 11⁄2 " by 41⁄2 ". Four posts 

measuring 4" by 4" form the corners of an 8'-0" 

by 8'-0" square at the center of the roof, each with 

a 3" by 4" diagonal brace. These posts support 4" 

by 6" horizontal beams, which support the roof 

rafters, ridge beams, and the fl oor joists of the 

widow's walk. The fl oor joists of the widow's walk 

run north-south.

Figure 14, Northwest oblique of Attic framing.

Figure 15, Southwest oblique of cupola.
National Park Service 49

 Part I.C - Physical Description

The cupola roof is supported by four posts 

measuring 33⁄4 " square, replacements installed 

1996-2003. The posts rest directly above the four 

center posts in the Attic. The cupola posts are 

further supported by 13⁄4 " by 33⁄4 " X-bracing, also 

replaced at the same time as the posts. Ceiling 

boards block the view of the pyramidal roof rafters.

At the Rear Shed, the roof framing is not accessible 

for inspection.

Utility Systems

Mechanical Systems

Initially, the four fi replaces provided the only 

climate control. By the middle of the twentieth 

century the Broward family was using propane 

gas and space heaters to supplement heating 

and to cook; a gas storage tank was on site. They 

also had two window units for cooling, one in 

the room used as the parents' bedroom (Room 

101-Reception Room) and the other in their living 

room (Room 108-Conference Room).

The Zillgitts installed the fi rst central heating and 

cooling system in 1996–2003, the one currently in 

operation, though heat pumps have been replaced. 

The two heat pumps are located on the north 

side of the house; one for the fi rst-fl oor rooms 

and the second for the second-fl oor rooms. The 

air handler serving the fi rst fl oor is located in the 

crawl space beneath the house; reproduction turnof-the-century style fl oor supply and wall return 

registers were installed at the same time. The air 

handler serving the second fl oor is located in the 

Attic; modern metal ceiling registers are used on 

the second fl oor.

Figure 16, Reproduction turn-of-the-century style fl oor 

registers installed 1996-2003.

Electrical System

Single phase, 120/240 electrical service is provided 

by the Jacksonville Electrical Authority. Overhead 

power lines run along Heckscher Road and 

connect to a pole in the yard northeast of the 

house. A power line drops to the distribution 

panel and meter located on the east end of the 

north elevation of the house. A subpanel is located 

on the east interior wall of Room 107-Kitchen. 

Figure 17, Distribution panel and meter on the east end of 

the north elevation.

The entire house was rewired in 1996-2003. Most 

rooms were fi tted with reproduction or modern 

light fi xtures. Modern ivory-colored plastic plate 

covers were installed on all on wall switches and 

outlets throughout the house.

Plumbing System

There are three restrooms, each with a fl ush toilet, 

sink, and bathtub. A modern kitchen contains a 

sink and dishwasher. All were plumbed with PVC 

pipes in 1996-2003.

A deep aquifer well, located a short distance west 

of the Rear Shed, continues to supply water to 

the house. A water tank for well water, a water 

purifi cation pump, and a water purifi cation tank 

are all situated north of the house. A small hot 

water heater is located in the closet of Room 

105-Bathroom, beneath the main stairs. Because of 

the strong mineral content, the well water is used 

solely for bathing and waste disposal purposes; 

bottled water is used for drinking and cooking.

The site has a septic fi eld for waste water.
50 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Exterior Features

Roofs and Rainwater Collection/Dispersal

A deck-hipped roof is above the Main Block 

inclusive of the inset front porches. There is a 

pyramidal roof on the cupola. The Rear Shed 

has a shed roof. The roofs of the Main Block, 

the cupola, and the Rear Shed are covered with 

composition shingles installed by Zillgitt 1996-

2003. An early roofi ng material of the main block 

was wood shingle, identifi ed by testing as being 

Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) (Dr. Joseph 

R. Loferski, Department of Wood Science and 

Forest Products, Virginia Tech). A number of these 

shingles remain beneath the deck of the widow's 

walk.

There are currently no gutters on the house. A 

brick enclosure situated at the northwest corner of 

the Main Block is the remnant of the cistern. 

Figure 18, Early wood shingles beneath the deck of the 

widow's walk.

Chimneys

The Main Block has two matching chimneys, 

one on the north roof hip and the other on the 

south. Both chimneys are of brick and measure 

approximately 2'-7" by 1'-51⁄2" in horizontal section 

above the roof line. The chimneys are centered on 

the Main Block, not including the area of the front 

porches. Each chimney is divided into two fl ues 

connecting to fi replaces at the fi rst and second 

fl oors. There are four wood burning fi replaces 

within the house, two on each fl oor in the east 

rooms. Both chimneys have been capped and are 

inoperable.

Figure 19, Chimney at north roof hip.

Double-Gallery Porch

A double-gallery porch spans the full width of the 

front (east) elevation of the house. Each porch 

measures approximately 8'-2" in depth by 38'-4" in 

width. 

Between about 1915 and 1948, major alterations 

to the porch took place, when the fi rst-fl oor 

porch was expanded. Between 1996 and 2003 the 

fi rst-fl oor porch was rebuilt to an appearance and 

confi guration similar to the original.

The current fl ooring of both porches is painted, 

tongue-and-groove pine boards measuring 3" 

by 1", running east-west. At the fi rst level, the 

porch fl oor is 41⁄2" lower than the interior fl oor 

of the house. The fl ooring of both porch levels 

is modern, replaced 1996-2003. The skirt board, 

measuring 11⁄2" by 81⁄2", is a modern replacement. 

Sawn, fi ligreed balustrades enclose both porches, 

except for the central bay of the fi rst-fl oor front. 

Much of the fi rst-fl oor balustrade is assembled 

with reused earlier pieces from the secondfl oor porch, supplemented with reproduction 

replacements. The second-fl oor balustrade is a 

reproduction.
National Park Service 51

 Part I.C - Physical Description

The posts currently in place at both levels are 

modern replacements comprised of four 3⁄4" 

boards mitered at the corners. The original cornice 

board of the fi rst-fl oor porch remains and is a 5⁄4" 

fl ush board. 

Sawn brackets on the posts are made up of both 

straight-sawn and scroll-cut pieces. According 

to Zillgitt, the straight pieces are reproductions 

installed in 1996-2003. The scroll-cut sections are 

repaired and reused earlier pieces.

Beaded boards on the second-fl oor porch ceiling 

are original. Those on the fi rst fl oor are not beaded 

and are modern replacements installed by Zillgitt. 

Boards of the second-fl oor porch ceiling run 

north-south, and those on the fi rst fl oor run eastwest.

According to Zillgitt, the porch soffi ts (as well 

as the roof soffi ts) were originally comprised of 

pine boards measuring 20" in width and 16'-0" in 

length. These boards were badly rotted when he 

acquired the house. He replaced wood boards 

with MDO boards and installed the soffi t vents.

Figure 20, Sawn trim and balustrades of the east-elevation 

porches.

Figure 21, Original beadboard ceiling and modern fl ooring 

of the second-fl oor porch.

Widow's Walk & Cupola

Centered above the house is a widow's walk and 

cupola. The cupola is centered above the widow's 

walk and is supported by four posts with corner 

bracing. Posts and corner bracing are modern 

replacements. The cupola is decorated with sawn 

brackets beneath the hipped roof overhang. These 

brackets are of a similar design to those of the 

Main Block, but are smaller in scale. According 

to Zillgitt, the lower portion of three brackets are 

replacements installed 1996-2003. 

Figure 22, Widow's walk and cupola.
52 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Prior to the 1970s, the railing of the widow's walk 

had been replaced with X-braces. By 1996, the 

railing was comprised of two-by-fours. Between 

1996 and 2003, Zillgitt replaced these railings 

with sawn balustrades, copying those of the front 

porches. At this time also the four corner posts of 

the widow's walk were replaced and square caps 

added. The original design of the widow's walk 

balustrade has not been documented.

The original deck fl ooring of the widow's walk was 

likely a wood base covered by a painted canvas. 

By 1996, roll asphalt roofi ng had been installed. 

Between 1996 and 2003, a layer of canvas and 

another of asphalt sheeting were removed and 

replaced by Zillgitt with a membrane roofi ng 

system. A sloping tongue-and-groove wood 

fl ooring was installed on top.

Figure 23, Modern fl ooring, X-bracing, and balustrade of 

the widow's walk and cupola.

The sides of the base of the widow's walk, below 

its deck, were apparently open, the deck platform 

sitting above the house roof as evidenced by the 

shingling pattern still visible from the Attic. By 

1996, roll asphalt roofi ng also enclosed these sides 

below the deck. Zillgitt removed the roofi ng, too, 

and replaced with the current asphalt shingles.

The cupola roof also had been covered with rolled 

asphalt sheet roofi ng before 1996. Between 1996 

and 2003 the roofi ng was replaced with the current 

composition shingle.

Stairs

According to an historic photograph taken between 

1910 and 1918, the front porch was three to four 

feet above grade, requiring six steps to reach 

the fi rst-fl oor porch. Either during or after the 

expansion of the fi rst-fl oor porch, the grade of the 

front yard was raised, bringing the ground closer to 

the porch, and requiring only three steps. The steps 

had been wooden and extended the full width of 

the center bay of the front porch. The wood steps 

were replaced with three brick steps and stepped 

cheek walls.

During the 1996-2003 work when the original 

porch design was reconstructed, the steps were 

replaced with a similar set of three brick steps. 

Centered on the east elevation, the three brick 

steps each measure 7'-11" in length and 1'-1" in 

depth. The stairs have broad stepped cheek walls 

with fl at concrete caps measuring 8" in width. The 

front risers of the cheek walls are 2'-2" in length 

and the back risers closest to the porch are 2'-8" in 

length. 

Figure 24, Brick steps of east elevation.

A poured-in-place concrete pad with a set of two 

brick steps covered with a concrete stucco is set at 

the center of the west elevation of the Rear Shed 

leads to Room 108-Conference Room. Each step 

measures 3'-51⁄2" in length and 1'-1" in depth. A 

similar concrete pad and set of two brick steps with 

cement stucco leads from the exterior to Room 

107-Kitchen. These steps measure 3'-3" in length 

and 1'-1" in depth. The date of installation is not 

known, but they are present in family photos of the 

1960s.
National Park Service 53

 Part I.C - Physical Description

Figure 25, West elevation poured-in-place concrete pad and 

cement stucco over brick steps at center doorway.

Windows

Window openings of the Main Block appear 

to be original. All sash are made of wood and 

are double-hung. Windows on the front (east) 

elevation of the house are two-over-two and are 

early, if not original. Those on the north, west, 

and south elevations, except for the window at 

the stair landing, are six-over-six, and may be 

early, perhaps original. Windows on the fi rst fl oor 

measure 7'-1" by 2'-10", while those on the second 

fl oor are slightly smaller in height, measuring 6'-5" 

by 2'-10". Windows of the Rear Shed are modern, 

one-over-one double-hung sash, measuring 2'-6" 

by 3'-9" and 2'-6" by 5'-0".

According to Zillgitt, between 1996 and 2003, 

the muntins, but not the glass of all six-over-six 

windows of the Main Block were replaced. Sash 

weights were cleaned and new sash cords were 

installed.

Exterior casing on the windows and front door 

of the Main Block are unadorned fl ush boards 

measuring 43⁄4" by 5⁄4" with a drip edge at top. 

The doorways leading from Room 102-Center 

Hall and Room 104-Northwest Offi ce into Room 

108-Conference Room have the same casing 

design, strongly suggesting that these two west 

doorways originally opened to the exterior. 

Window sills of all windows of the Main Block 

measure 21⁄2" in height and are cut from a single 

block of wood. 

Figure 26, First-fl oor east elevation reproduction louvered 

shutters based on salvaged shutter.

Figure 27, Second-fl oor east elevation reproduction louvered shutters based on salvaged shutter.
54 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

None of the shutters currently on the house 

is original, though some are based on original 

designs. The shutters on the fi rst-fl oor front (east) 

elevation are modern reproduction louvered 

shutters in a three-part design, measuring 7'-3" 

by 2'-10" with a thickness of 11⁄4", installed 1996-

2003. They are based on a salvaged shutter stored 

at the time in the Attic and still there at the time 

of this report. Although a similar design, they are 

a mismatch in overall thickness and the design of 

individual elements. The replacement hinges are 

quite diff erent in scale and design compared to the 

originals. 

Shutters on the windows of the second-fl oor front 

(east) elevation are also modern reproductions 

installed 1996-2003, with a design based on 

remnants of another early shutter found under 

the house. These are two-part louvered shutter, 

again with the same design discrepancies of the 

fi rst-fl oor reproduction shutters and hardware. 

(This second-fl oor shutter was not located during 

the preparation of this report, but would certainly 

have matched the fi rst-fl oor shutter in design 

characteristics.)

These windows are fi tted with modern shutter 

dogs, though no evidence of earlier shutter dogs 

is apparent and the type of hinge on the stored 

salvaged shutter indicates no shutter dog was 

needed; it is a self-locking hinge.

Figure 28, Typical modern shutter dog added to eastelevation shutters in 1996-2003.

Figure 29, Inaccurate replacement shutter hinges on 

shutters of the east elevation of the Main Block.

Figure 30, Salvaged louvered shutter stored in Attic, 

showing different size of early hinge compared to 

replacement hinge above (Figure 29).

Shutters on the north, west, and south sides of the 

Main Block are board-and-batten shutters, as were 

present in 1996. Between 1996 and 2003 Zillgitt 

added reproduction cast iron hinges matching 

the ones he added to the east-elevation windows. 

Then, in 2008, the National Park Service replaced 

the shutters of the north and west elevations using 

3⁄4" by 51⁄2" stock plank boards with reproduction 

iron hinges and sill latches. 

The photograph from 1910-1918, which was 

not known to Zillgitt, indicates the Main Block 

had louvered shutters at that time on the south 

as well as the east elevation. Presumably, there 

would have been louvered shutters on the north 

and west elevation windows as well. Broward 

family photographs of mid-century show the fi rst 

occurrence of board-and-batten shutters.
National Park Service 55

 Part I.C - Physical Description

Figure 31, Typical board-and-batten shutters as occurring on 

the north, west, and south elevations of the Main Block.

Doors

There are currently four exterior doorways, three 

on the fi rst fl oor and one on the second fl oor. 

There are two centered doorways on the east 

(front) elevation, one at each fl oor. Both doorways 

are original and intact. Both retain doors which 

appear to be the originals. The other two fi rstfl oor exterior doors are on the west elevation of 

the Rear Shed. Both doorways were retained, but 

partially rebuilt in 1996-2003; their original dates 

of construction unknown. The northmost door 

dates to the early twentieth century, though its lock 

and door knobs are earlier. The central door is a 

modern fl ush panel door with modern hardware 

dating to the Zillgitt remodel.

Centered on the east elevation at fi rst fl oor is the 

front door, the doorway for the public to use when 

entering the house. The four-panel door is the 

most architecturally sophisticated of any door in 

the house, befi tting the sole public entrance. The 

panel trim is bold and bulbous. The top two panels 

are glass with arched tops. Above is an early, if not 

original, two-light transom. The door measures 

3'-6" by 7'-5" by 11⁄2", the largest in the house. At 

one time the doorway was fi tted with a screen door 

measuring approximately 3'-5" by 7'-6" by 11⁄2", as 

evident from the remnants of an added doorstop. 

The exterior door casing matches that of the other 

door and window surrounds of the Main Block, 

being fl ush board measuring 53⁄4" by 5⁄4". The door 

sill is 3" in height and 4'-5" in length, with a 4 3⁄4" 

deep threshold with tapered corners. 

Figure 32, The front entrance doorway, east elevation.

Figure 33, Salvaged front door hinge, exterior view.
56 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

The hinges on the door are 4", three-knuckle, 

salvaged replacements. The door is also fi tted with 

salvaged decorative brass escutcheon, mortise lock 

and knob. All were installed by Zillgitt between 

1996 and 2003. A patch for a previous mortise lock 

is visible above the lock rail. Two hinges that once 

held the screen door remain, and are fi ve-knuckle 

butt hinges measuring 3" in height. 

Figure 34, Salvaged front door plate and door knob.

The door to the second-fl oor porch is centered 

on the east elevation. The door has four panels 

and measures 3'-0" by 7'-0" by 11⁄4". A three-light 

early, if not original, transom with original transom 

bar is set above. Exterior casing on the door is 

fl ush board, identical to that of the east fi rst-fl oor 

door, measuring 53⁄4" by 5⁄4". One of the hinges 

is the same as the salvaged hinges of the front 

door, measuring 4" in height, presumably salvaged 

also. The other hinge is a 31⁄2", three-knuckle, 

cast-iron reproduction hinge with acorn motif 

typical of those found on other doors within the 

house. The outer face of the door is fi tted with a 

metal doorknob. The door sill is 11⁄2" above the 

porch deck, 3'-11" wide, with a 41⁄2" deep original 

threshold. 

The door centered on the Rear Shed (west) 

elevation is a modern fl ush-panel door measuring 

2'-10" by 6'-8" by 13⁄4". Two 4", fi ve-knuckle butt 

hinges of the late twentieth century support the 

door. The door is fi tted with a mortise lock with a 

brushed chrome-fi nish doorknob.

Figure 35, East elevation second-fl oor doorway.

On the north end of the west elevation is an early 

twentieth-century door measuring 2'-8" by 6'-4" 

by 13⁄8 " and composed of three horizontal panels 

with a six-light sash. The door is fi tted with 

embossed, pressed escutcheons and an embossed 

doorknob on both sides, fi tted over a patch for a 

previous locking mechanism. Two fi ve-knuckle, 

4" ball-and-pin hinges, also dating to the early 

twentieth century, support the door. A modern, 

brushed-chrome dead bolt is also present.

Figure 36, At the northernmost doorway of west elevation 

of Rear Shed, an early twentieth-century sash door.
National Park Service 57

 Part I.C - Physical Description

Common Early Design Elements

Exterior Features

Some of the repeated original design elements 

found on the Broward House exterior include:

Louvered Window Shutters: A salvaged shutter 

and period photodocumentation confi rm that at 

least as early as the second decade of the twentieth 

century, the fi rst- and second-fl oor windows of 

the Main Block had louvered shutters. Two-panel 

shutters were on the taller fi rst-fl oor windows. 

Reproduction shutters are present only on the east 

elevation at this time.

Shutter Hardware: The salvaged louvered shutter 

confi rms the use of self-locking hinges. None of an 

appropriate design and scale presently exist.

Exterior Door & Window Casings: Original door 

and window casings are comprised of a 53⁄4 " by 

5⁄4" unadorned plank board at lintel and jambs. 

Further a drip-edge molding is set atop the lintel 

casing.

Interior Features

Several early elements remain in the Main Block 

and are common to most rooms. Some of these 

elements are reduced in overall height on the 

second fl oor compared to those on the fi rst fl oor. 

Some of the repeated original design elements 

found on both fl oors of the Broward House 

interior include:

Room Baseboards: 

Baseboards throughout the 

rooms of the Main Block are 

of the same design. Room 

baseboards on the fi rst fl oor 

have an 8" tall exposure 

with a 21⁄4" cap. Those on 

the second fl oor are 7" tall 

with an identical 21⁄4" cap. 

No shoe molding is present 

in either composition.

Figure 37, Typical original fi rstfl oor room baseboard with cap.

Window and Door Casings: Throughout the Main 

Block, window and door casings are of the same 

design, measuring 5" across with a 21⁄4" back band. 

Casing was installed with simple butt joints, while 

the back band was installed with mitered butt 

joints.

Figure 38, Typical original interior door casing.

Figure 39, Common four-panel interior door.

Doors: Most doors on the interior of the Main 

Block are the original four-panel doors. Doors on 

the fi rst fl oor measure on average 3'-0" by 7'-0", 

while those on the second fl oor are smaller in size, 

measuring on average 2'-10" by 6'-10".

Flooring: Pine, 1" by 31⁄4 " tongue-and-groove 

fl ooring is found throughout the Main Block.
58 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Figure 40, Typical six-over-six double-hung sash window of 

north, south and west elevation of Main Block.

Windows: Windows on the fi rst fl oor are 

consistent in size, measuring 7'-1" in height and 

2'-10" in width. Windows on the second fl oor are 

also consistent in size, slightly shorter than those of 

the fi rst fl oor, measuring 6'-5" in height and 2'-10" 

in width. (Muntins of the six-over-six windows 

in the Main Block, but not the sash frame, were 

replaced in 1996-2003 by Zillgitt.) The twoover-two sash windows of the east elevation are 

probably original and have a matching design.

Hardware: A rim lock with a star design is present 

on a number of doorways in the house, measuring 

31⁄8 " by 4". These locks are probably original.

Figure 41, Rim lock with embossed star design is probably 

original.

Common Added Design Elements

Exterior Features

Window Shutters: Board-and-batten shutters were 

added as a new design feature on the north, west, 

and south elevations windows at mid-century. 

Some of these shutters, on the west and north 

elevations, were replaced in 2008 (Figure 31).

Shutter Hardware: Reproduction cast-iron hinges 

and sill catches were added to all window shutters 

in 1996-2003 (Figure 29). 

Shutter Dogs: Reproduction stamped-metal shutter 

dogs were added to east elevation window shutter 

in 1996-2003 (Figure 28).

Interior Features

Hardware: Reproduction cast-iron hinges with 

acorn-shaped pin ends are present on many doors 

throughout the house. These hinges are threeknuckle and measure 3" in height. These hinges 

were installed in 1996-2003.

Figure 42, Reproduction hinge with acorn pin is a common 

late design element found on doors throughout the house.
National Park Service 59

 Part I.C - Physical Description

Figure 43, Modern molded-plastic outlet covers installed in 

1996-2003 throughout the house.

Figure 44, Modern metal return registers installed in 1996-

2003 at second-fl oor rooms.

Electrical System: Modern molded-plastic outlet 

and switch covers were installed throughout the 

house in 1996-2003 (Figure 43).

HVAC System: Reproduction, early twentiethcentury cast-iron supply and return registers were 

installed in 1996-2003 (Figure 16).

HVAC System: Modern metal supply and return 

registers were installed in 1996-2003 at secondfl oor rooms (Figure 44).

Hardware: Chrome-fi nish sash latches were 

installed 1996-2003 by Zillgitt.

Description by Room

Room 101: Reception Room

Originally intended to receive the public, as 

evidenced by its architectural embellishments, 

along with Room 103-Northeast Offi ce across 

the hall, the room was used as the parents' 

bedroom by the Broward family after the death of 

Governor Broward. Its use during the occupancy 

of Governor Broward is not known. This room 

is currently used as a lounge area. Rectilinear in 

plan, the room measures about 12'-3" by 15'-1". 

The ceiling height is 10'-10". This room and the 

matching Room 103-Northeast Offi ce, with their 

impressive Tudor-arched fi replace mantels and 

plaster ceiling cornices, are the most architecturally 

sophisticated of all the rooms.

Flooring

The pine, tongue-and-groove fl ooring is the 

original of typical size, measuring 1" by 31⁄4", laid 

east-west. 

Baseboards

The baseboards are the original of typical design 

for the fi rst-fl oor rooms, measuring 8" tall with a 

21⁄4" cap. A section of baseboard is missing on the 

south side of the fi replace.

Walls

The walls appear to retain original plaster, 

presumably on wood lath.

Ceiling

The ceiling appears to be the original and 

presumably is plaster on wood lath.

Figure 45, Northeast oblique of Room 101-Reception Room.
60 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Doorways

A doorway on the north wall leads to Room 

102-Center Hall. The door casing on this side is 

the original of typical design, measuring 5" across 

with a 21⁄4" back band. There is a 1⁄2" built-in stop 

for the door. The four-panel door, measuring 

3'-0" by 7'-0" by 11⁄2", is original, and is attached 

with two 31⁄2", three-knuckle, reproduction hinges. 

The hinges are mortised in the door and jambs. 

This side of the door is fi tted with a mortise lock 

with porcelain knob, both of which appear to be 

original. The door shows no indication of previous 

locking hardware. The threshold is original. It is 

pine, measuring 41⁄2" in width and 3⁄4" in height, and 

beveled at the corners.

A doorway on the west wall leads to Room 

105-Bathroom. On this side, the doorway has 

the same 5" casing and 21⁄4" back band found 

throughout the house. The door is of the same 

typical four-panel design , measuring 3'-0" by 

7'-0" by 11⁄2". A wood dutchman repair has been 

added across the top of the door in order to 

accommodate the fl oor slope toward the southwest 

section of the room. This side of the door is fi tted 

with a porcelain doorknob. The threshold appears 

to be original, indicating that this is an original 

doorway. The threshold is pine, measuring 41⁄2" in 

width and 3⁄4" in height.

Windows

There are two windows on the east wall and one 

on the south wall. All three window openings 

measure 7'-1" by 2'-10". Each has original 5" 

casing and 21⁄4" back band identical to that of the 

original doorways. Window aprons are original 

and consistent. The window sash on the east wall 

are two-over-two double-hung, while the one on 

the south wall is six-over-six double-hung. All are 

fi tted with modern chrome-fi nish latches on the 

sash. Muntins of the six-over-six windows are 

1996-2003 replacements.

Finishes

The pine fl oors are varnished. The baseboards, 

door and window casings, window sash, mantel, 

cornice, plaster walls and ceiling are painted. 

Mechanical Systems

A fl oor supply register in the south section of the 

room, measuring 12" by 14", is in a turn-of-thecentury pattern found on fi rst-fl oor registers. 

This register was installed in the late 1990s by 

Zillgitt when central heating and cooling were fi rst 

installed. 

Electrical Systems

Ivory-colored plastic plate covers, installed in 

the late 1990s, are present at wall switches and 

electrical outlets. There is a modern reproduction 

light fi xture hanging from the center of the ceiling.

Figure 46, Original fi replace and mantel of Room 

101-Reception Room.

Fireplace

On the west wall is the fi replace with the original 

wood mantelpiece with a Tudor arch. This mantel 

is the same as those found in Room 103-Northeast 

Offi ce, Room 201-Southeast Offi ce, and Room 

203-Northeast Offi ce. The fi rebox measures 

2'-61⁄2" in height and has a damper. The fi replace 

hearth is concrete, measuring 4'-9" by 1'-3". The 

hearth sits proud of the adjacent fl ooring by about 

2".

Cornice

The original plaster cornice remains. The cornice 

is identical to that found in Room 103-Northeast 

Offi ce.
National Park Service 61

 Part I.C - Physical Description

Other Features

Tack marks in the fl ooring along the room's 

perimeter and extending in front of the hearth 

indicate the room once had wall-to-wall carpeting.

Figure 47, Original cornice of east fi rst-fl oor rooms.

Room 102: Central Hall

Extending the full length at the center of the Main 

Block, the hall provides access to all rooms on 

the fi rst fl oor except Room 107-Kitchen in the 

north section of the Rear Shed. The east-west 

hallway serves as the main entry to the house, as 

it is accessed by the front (east) door. The room 

forms an ell and measures 6'-2" in width, 28'-41⁄2 " 

in length. The ell section, leading south to the stair 

hall, measures 3'-81⁄2 " in width. The ceiling height 

is 10'-10", typical of rooms on the fi rst fl oor.

Flooring

The pine, tongue-and-groove fl ooring is the 

original of typical size, measuring 1" by 31⁄4", laid 

east-west. 

Baseboards

The baseboards are the original of typical design 

for the fi rst-fl oor rooms, measuring 8" tall with a 

21⁄4" cap. 

Walls

The walls appear to retain original plaster, 

presumably on wood lath.

Ceiling

The ceiling appears to be the original and 

presumably is plaster on wood lath.

Figure 48, Room 102-Center Hall looking east. 

Reproduction lighting fi xture on ceiling.

Doorways

There are eight doorways in this room. One of 

these is the front (east) door from the front porch. 

This doorway is described in the Exterior Features 

section above. The interior casing of this door 

is identical to that found throughout the house, 

measuring 5" across with a 21⁄4" back band. The 

door is fi tted with a salvaged decorative knob and 

escutcheon. There is an early, if not original, brass 

barrel lock.

A second doorway leads to Room 101-Reception 

Room. This doorway is described in the Room 

101-Reception Room section above. The casing of 

this side of the doorway is the typical design found 

throughout the house, measuring 5" across with a 

21⁄4" back band. On this side, the door is fi tted with 

a porcelain knob and iron key escutcheon.

On the north wall is the doorway to Room 

103-Northeast Offi ce. The original four-panel 

door remains, measuring 3'-0" by 7'-0" by 11⁄2". 

The doorknob on this face is glass, and the plate 

is of iron, measuring 8" by 21⁄2". The door casing 

is the original and of the typical design found 

throughout the house, measuring 5" across with a 

21⁄4" back band. The threshold is original.
62 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Also on the north wall is the doorway to Room 

104-Northwest Offi ce. This door is an original 

four-panel door of the same size and design of 

those found throughout the house, measuring 3'-0" 

by 7'-0" by 11⁄2". The door on this side is fi tted with 

porcelain knobs and an iron key escutcheon. The 

casing and threshold are also of the typical design 

and dimensions of original features. 

The door to Room 105-Bathroom is set on the 

south wall and is of the typical design found 

throughout the house, measuring 3'-0" by 7'-0" by 

11⁄2". The door casing on this side is original and 

of the typical design found throughout the house, 

measuring 5" across with a 21⁄4" back band. This 

face of the door is fi tted with a key escutcheon, and 

porcelain knobs. The original threshold remains.

Figure 49, Door to Room 106-Lower Stair Hall from Room 

102-Center Hall.

A third door on the south wall is that leading to 

Room 106-Lower Stair Hall. The door measures 

2'-8" by 6'-8" by 5⁄8 " and holds four horizontal 

glass panels measuring 2'-0" by 1'-5". The muntin 

profi les on the door are diff erent on each face. The 

door casing is 11⁄2" by 31⁄2" with an applied stop. 

This face of the door is fi tted with a 1950s-vintage 

closet-door catch with chrome fi nish. The design 

of the door suggests a mid-twentieth century 

construction period. There is a four-light transom 

above the door with the same casing. The transom 

sash is an early design; it may be a reused salvaged 

item or it may be original to this location.

On the west wall is the doorway leading to Room 

108-Conference Room. This doorway appears 

to have originally led to the exterior, as refl ected 

in its casing in Room 108-Conference Room. In 

the typical design of the original four-panel doors 

throughout the house, this door measures 3'-0" 

by 7'-0" by 11⁄2". The door has a dutchman repair 

at the base. The original casing of typical interior 

design is in place on the hallway side. This face 

of the door is fi tted with a rim lock, 31⁄4" wide and 

4" in height, with a porcelain knob and a keeper 

remaining on the frame. There is no evidence 

of previous locking hardware. The threshold is 

of pine measuring 6 1⁄2" in depth with a 2" piece 

added and 3⁄4" in height.

The door leading to an added closet at the 

southwest ell section of the hallway is of a later 

style than the other doors in the room. Measuring 

2'-0" by 6'-8" by 11⁄2", the two-panel door is typical 

for the 1920s. The door hardware also is typical 

of that period. The door is fi tted with a glass 

doorknob, a plate measuring 21⁄4" by 7", and a 

mortise lock. The door is attached with two fi veknuckle, 3" ball-and-pin hinges. 

Figure 50, Room 102-Center Hall closet.
National Park Service 63

 Part I.C - Physical Description

Figure 51, Room 102-Center Hall looking west.

Windows

There are no windows in this room; however, 

there is a two-part transom above the front (east) 

door, as well as a four-light transom over the door 

leading to Room 106- Lower Stair Hall that provide 

daylight to this room.

Finishes

The pine fl oorboards are varnished. The 

baseboards, door casings, plaster walls, and ceiling 

are painted. 

Mechanical Systems

A wall return in the turn-of-the-century design 

found on fi rst-fl oor registers is situated on the 

north wall of the added closet, measuring 20" 

by 20". This return was one of several added by 

Zillgitt in the late 1990s when central air and heat 

were fi rst installed.

Electrical Systems

Currently there is a fi ve-globe brass reproduction 

electric ceiling light. Ivory-colored plastic switch 

plate and outlet covers of the late 1990s are also 

present.

Closet

Added to a corner in the southwest section of the 

room is the closet mentioned above, likely installed 

in the 1920s. The walls of the closet do not extend 

fully to the ceiling. The original room baseboard 

continues behind the closet addition.

Other Features

At the center of the ceiling is an early cast-metal 

hook for an early, non-electric light source. The 

hook measures 21⁄2 " in width and 31⁄2 " in height 

and is identical to the hook found in Room 

103-Northeast Offi ce. 

Room 103: Northeast Offi ce

Originally, along with Room 101-Reception Room, 

this was a room for receiving the public. The 

Broward family used it as a bedroom. This room 

is currently used as an offi ce. Rectilinear in plan, 

the room measures 15'-1" by 12'-21⁄2". The ceiling 

height is 10'-10", typical of rooms on the fi rst fl oor.

Figure 52, Northeast oblique of Room 103-Northeast Offi ce.

Flooring

The pine, tongue-and-groove fl ooring is the 

original of typical size, measuring 1" by 31⁄4", laid 

east-west. 

Baseboards

The baseboards are the original of typical design 

for the fi rst-fl oor rooms, measuring 8" tall with a 

21⁄4" cap. 

Walls

The walls appear to retain original plaster, 

presumably on wood lath. Diagonal cracking 

across the west wall suggests that the fl oor has 
64 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

dropped, probably due to defl ection in the 

chimney base prior to repointing by Zillgitt.

Ceiling

The ceiling appears to be the original and 

presumably is plaster on wood lath.

Doorways

There are two doorways in this room. The fi rst 

leads to Room 102-Center Hall. This door and 

doorway are described in the section on Room 

102-Center Hall above. The casing of this doorway 

on this side is the same as that found throughout 

the house, measuring 5" across with a 21⁄4" back 

band. This face of the door is fi tted with porcelain 

knobs and an iron key escutcheon.

A second doorway leads to Room 104-Northwest 

Offi ce. This is not an original doorway. Situated 

on the west wall to the south of the fi replace, 

this door is a two-panel door of the 1920s and 

measures 2'-8" by 6'-8". The door casing is fl at-cut 

plank board measuring 31⁄2" by 7⁄8 ". An Art Deco 

style doorknob and plate is found on both sides of 

the door. The hinges are 3" reproductions in the 

acorn-pin style found throughout the house. There 

is no threshold.

Figure 53, Room 103-Northeast Offi ce door to Room 

104-Northwest Offi ce.

Figure 54, Room 103-Northeast Offi ce looking south.

Windows

There are two window units on the east wall and 

one on the north wall. All windows measure 

7'-1" by 2'-10". Each has original 5" casing and 

21⁄4" back band identical to that of the original 

doorways. Window aprons are original and 

consistent. The window sash on the east wall are 

two-over-two double-hung, while that on the 

north wall is six-over-six double-hung. All are 

fi tted with modern chrome-fi nish latches on the 

sash. Muntins of the six-over-six windows are 

1996-2003 replacements.

Finishes

The pine fl oorboards are varnished. The 

baseboards, door and window casings, window 

sash, mantel, cornice, plaster walls, and ceiling are 

painted. 

Mechanical Systems

A fl oor supply register in the north section of the 

room, measuring 12" by 14", is in a turn-of-thecentury pattern found on fi rst-fl oor registers. This 

register was added in the late 1990s by Zillgitt when 

central air and heating were fi rst installed. 

Electrical Systems

Two reproduction electric wall sconces are on the 

west wall fl anking the fi replace. Ivory-colored 

plastic switch plate and outlet covers of the late 

1990s are also present.

Fireplace

On the west wall is a fi replace matching that of 

Room 101-Reception Room, Room 201-Southeast 

Offi ce and Room 203-Northeast Offi ce, with an 

original wood mantelpiece with a Tudor arch. 
National Park Service 65

 Part I.C - Physical Description

The fi rebox measures 2'-61⁄2" in height and has 

a damper. The fi replace in this room has a brick 

hearth measuring 4'-9" by 1'-3".

Cornice

The original plaster cornice remains, matching that 

of Room 101-Reception Room.

Other Features

At the center of the ceiling is an early cast-metal 

hook for an early, non-electric light source. The 

hook measures 21⁄2 " in width and 31⁄2 " in height and 

is identical to the hook found in Room 102-Center 

Hall. Tack marks in the fl ooring along the room's 

perimeter and extending in front of the hearth 

indicate the room once had wall-to-wall carpeting.

Figure 55, Room 103-Northeast Offi ce reproduction electric 

wall sconce.

Figure 56, Room 103-Northeast Offi ce fi replace mantel.

Figure 57, Room 101-Reception Room and Room 

103-Northeast Offi ce cornice.

Figure 58, Room 103-Northeast Offi ce ceiling hook.

Room 104: Northwest Offi ce

Previously used by the Broward family as their 

dining room, this room currently serves as an 

offi ce. Nearly square in plan, the room measures 

15'-1" by 15'-8". The ceiling height is 10'-10", 

typical of rooms on the fi rst fl oor.

Flooring

The pine, tongue-and-groove fl ooring is the 

original of typical size, measuring 1" by 31⁄4", laid 

east-west. 

Baseboards

The baseboards are the original of typical design 

for the fi rst-fl oor rooms, measuring 8" tall with a 

21⁄4" cap. 

Walls

The walls appear to retain original plaster, 

presumably on wood lath.
66 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Figure 59, Northwest oblique of Room 104-Northwest 

Offi ce.

Ceiling

The ceiling appears to be the original and 

presumably is plaster on wood lath. The plaster 

ceiling shows evidence of multiple patches.

Doorways

A single doorway on the south wall leads to Room 

102-Center Hall. This doorway is discussed in the 

section on Room 102-Center Hall. The casing of 

the doorway on this side is the typical casing found 

throughout the house, measuring 5" across with a 

21⁄4" back band. This face of the door is fi tted with 

a porcelain knob and iron key escutcheon.

There are two doorways on the west wall. The fi rst 

leads to Room 107-Kitchen. This fi fteen-light door 

was added in the 1950s and measures 2'-8" by 6'-8" 

by 11⁄4". Equipped on this face with a mortise lock 

and a brass key escutcheon, the doorknobs are 2" 

in diameter and of brass. New reproduction threeknuckle acorn-pin style hinges are the same as 

those present throughout the house. Casing on the 

Room 104-Northwest Offi ce side is the 5" casing 

found throughout the house. The threshold is the 

same 4 1⁄2" pine typical in the house.

A second doorway on the west wall leads to 

Room 108-Conference Room. This door is in the 

same design as other original four-panel doors 

in the house, measuring 6'-10" by 3'-0" by 11⁄2". 

The casing on the Room 104-Northwest Offi ce 

side is the 5" casing with 21⁄4" back band found 

throughout the house. A rim lock is present on 

this face of the door, and porcelain knobs are 

present on both faces. 

Figure 60, Southeast oblique of Room 104-Northwest Offi ce.

A doorway on the east wall leads to Room 

103-Northeast Offi ce. This door and doorway are 

discussed in the section on Room 103-Northeast 

Offi ce. The doorway is not original. The door 

casing is fl at-cut plank board measuring 31⁄2" by 7⁄8 ". 

An Art Deco-style doorknob and plate is found on 

both sides of the door. There is no threshold.

Windows

There are two window units on the north wall. 

Both windows measure 7'-1" by 2'-10". Each has 

original 5" casing and 21⁄4" back band identical to 

that of the original doorways. Window aprons 

are original and consistent. The window sash are 

six-over-six double-hung. Both windows are fi tted 

with modern chrome-fi nish latches on the sash. 

Muntins of the six-over-six windows are 1996-

2003 replacements.

Finishes

The pine fl oorboards are varnished. The 

baseboards, door and window casings, window 

sash, plaster walls, and ceiling are painted. 

Mechanical Systems

A supply register under the northwest window 

is in the same turn-of-the-century style as others 

throughout the house installed by Zillgitt in the late 

1990s.

Electrical Systems

In addition to 1990s ivory-colored plastic plate 

covers on wall switches and electrical outlets, there 

is a hanging six-globe brass reproduction light on 

the ceiling.
National Park Service 67

 Part I.C - Physical Description

Room 105: Bathroom

Used as the bathroom by the Broward family, this 

room continues to serve that purpose. Rectilinear 

in plan, the room measures about 15'-1" by 9'-0". 

The ceiling height is 9'-8".

Figure 61, Northwest oblique of Room 105-Bathroom.

Flooring

The pine, tongue-and-groove fl ooring is the 

original of typical size, measuring 1" by 31⁄4", laid 

east-west. The fl ooring slumps to the southeast 

corner of the room. Associated with the slump, 

a patch has been installed at the south wall, 

measuring about 3'-8" in length, beginning about 

6" off of the east wall. The patch is constructed of 

31⁄4" boards to match those of the original fl ooring, 

but the replacement boards are of a diff erent, 

lighter coloration. The repair was made by Zillgitt 

to remove rotted sections of fl ooring and the wall 

plate below.

There is a rectangular section of square tiles 

adjacent to the east wall directly beneath the 

bathtub.

Figure 62, Room 105-Bathroom fl ooring patch at southeast 

corner.

Baseboards

The baseboards are the original of typical design 

for the fi rst-fl oor rooms, measuring 8" tall with a 

21⁄4" cap. The newer portion of the west wall, south 

of the closet door, has a modern fl at-cut baseboard.

Walls

The walls appear to retain original plaster, 

presumably on wood lath. The west wall, south 

of the closet door, was built in 1996-2003 when a 

shower was removed.

Ceiling

The ceiling was lowered approximately one foot by 

Zillgitt between 1996 and 2003 to accommodate 

pipes of the bathrooms installed on the fl oor above. 

The ceiling height is currently 9'-8". The lowered 

ceilings are of gypsum board, but portions of the 

original plaster ceiling on wood lath likely remain 

above.

Figure 63, Room 105-Bathroom door at east wall to Room 

101-Reception Room.

Doorways

This room has three doorways on three walls. The 

east wall door and doorway are discussed above in 

the section on Room 101-Reception Room. The 

casing of this doorway is identical to that found 
68 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

throughout the house, measuring 5" across with 

a 21⁄4" back band. This face of the door is fi tted 

with a rim lock and porcelain knob on the Room 

105-Bathroom side. A keeper is present on the 

bathroom side casing, and a brass barrel lock is 

present on the door.

The door and doorway on the north wall are 

discussed in the section on Room 102-Center Hall 

above. The casing on this doorway is the same 

as that found throughout the house, measuring 

5" across with a 21⁄4" back band. This face of the 

door is fi tted with porcelain knobs and brass key 

escutcheons, as well as a 31⁄4" plate brass barrel 

lock, set on the bathroom side.

The door to the closet on the west wall is a typical 

four-panel door found throughout the house, 

measuring 2'-8" by 6'-8" by 11⁄4". A replacement 

rim lock measuring 4" by 31⁄4" is present with 

porcelain knobs on both sides. The door casing 

on the bathroom side is the typical 5" casing found 

throughout the house, while that on the closet side 

is plain 43⁄4" by 7⁄8 " fl ush board.

Figure 64, Room 105-Bathroom door to closet, hardware.

Windows

There is one window unit in this room on the 

south wall. The window measures 7'-1" by 2'-10". 

Original 5" casing and 21⁄4" back band identical 

to that of the original doorways is present. The 

window apron is also original. The window sash is 

six-over-six double-hung, and the window is fi tted 

with a modern chrome-fi nish latch on the sash.

Finishes

The pine fl oorboards are varnished. The 

baseboards, door and window casings, window 

sash, plaster walls, and ceiling are painted. 

Mechanical Systems

A 12-gallon Whirlpool water heater is installed in 

the closet. 

Electrical Systems

In addition to modern ivory-covered plastic plate 

covers on wall switches and electrical outlets, there 

is one modern overhead wall sconce above the 

sink with a pull cord and electrical outlet. There is 

also one wall sconce west of the door to the hall. A 

two-globe brass reproduction fi xture is present on 

the ceiling.

Plumbing

A reproduction pedestal sink and a salvaged/

refi nished clawfoot bathtub acquired by Zillgitt, 

measuring 5'-6", are present in the room, as well as 

a reused fl ush toilet. Hot and cold water hookups 

located on the northeast wall in the closet were 

installed by Zillgitt in the late 1990s to serve a 

washing machine.

Figure 65, Southwest oblique of Room 105-Bathroom.

Closet

A closet runs nearly the full length of the room on 

the west side, beneath the main stair. Within the 

closet are remnants of wooden shelving supports 

nailed to the wall. Baseboards are also present in 
National Park Service 69

 Part I.C - Physical Description

the closet space, measuring 8" in height and 7⁄8 " in 

depth. A section of fl ooring in the south end of 

the closet, where a shower had been located, was 

replaced by Zillgitt in 1996-2003 using fl oorboards 

cut from large salvaged timbers found in the back 

yard. Portions of the closet wall are of gypsum wall 

board added by Zillgitt.

Figure 66, Southwest oblique of Room 105-Bathroom closet.

Room 106: Lower Stair Hall

This room includes the lower section of stairs to 

the second fl oor. The room is rectilinear in plan, 

and measures approximately 2'-111⁄2" in width. The 

stair section measures 8'-4" in length. 

Baseboards

The baseboards are the original of typical design 

for the fi rst-fl oor rooms, measuring 8" tall with a 

21⁄4" cap. 

Walls

The walls appear to retain original plaster, 

presumably on wood lath.

Ceiling

The ceilings are of sheetrock with visible outlines 

of the tape between sheets.

Doorways

One doorway is present on the north wall at the 

entry to the stairs. This doorway leads to Room 

102-Center Hall and the door and doorway are 

discussed above in the Room 102-Center Hall 

section. The muntin profi les on the door are 

diff erent on each side. The door casing is 11⁄2" by 

31⁄2" board with an applied stop. There is a fourlight transom above the door with the same casing. 

The door is fi tted with a 1950s-vintage closet-door 

catch with chrome fi nish.

Windows

There is one two-over-two double-hung window 

at the stair landing measuring 2'-0" by 4'-51⁄2". 

The window is no longer weighted and the top 

section is fi xed. The window casing and apron are 

consistent with those throughout the house. 

Figure 67, Room 106-Lower Stair Hall window.

Finishes

The pine fl oorboards of the stair treads and the 

landing are varnished. The baseboards, stair risers, 

handrail, stair wall, door and window casings, 

window sash, walls, and ceiling are painted. 

Mechanical Systems

No components of the mechanical system are 

present in this room.
70 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Electrical Systems

No components of the electrical system are present 

in this room.

Stair Wall

A low section of wall measuring 2'-7" in height 

separates the two runs of stairs. It is topped with 

a wood cap, illustrated in Figure 68. The original 

baseboard extends the full length of this wall. 

Removal of the cap revealed construction with cut 

nails, strongly suggesting its current form may be 

an original feature.

Figure 68, Cap of dividing wall between sections of stair 

runs, Rooms 106 and 206.

Handrail

A modern handrail is present on the full wall sides 

of the stairs. This rail consists of a 13⁄8 " by 31⁄2" 

plank board applied to the wall with modern metal 

brackets supporting a 11⁄2"-diameter modern wood 

handrail.

Stairs

The pine treads are 11" deep, 1" thick, with 

bullnose edge. There is a cove trim below. Risers 

are 71⁄2" tall.

Room 107: Kitchen

This rectilinear room is the north end of the Rear 

Shed, and measures 9'-7" by 16'-21⁄2". The ceiling 

height is the same as Room 108-Conference Room, 

measuring 12'-6" at its high end (east) and 7'-6" on 

its low end (west). 

It is likely that this room was part of the original 

house form, built as an ell to the Main Block. This 

room has likely served as a kitchen since its earliest 

construction date. The current Kitchen was 

remodeled in 1996-2003.

Figure 69, Northwest oblique of Room 107-Kitchen.

Figure 70, Room 107-Kitchen looking east.

Flooring

Modern terra cotta ceramic tiles, measuring 8" 

square, cover the fl oor. These tiles were installed 

by Zillgitt in 1996-2003. Prior to the installation 

of these tiles, the fl oor was covered with linoleum 

fl ooring, according to Zillgitt.

Baseboards

There are no baseboards in this room. A modern 

shoe molding is present on sections of walls 

without cabinets.

Walls

Walls are covered with modern gypsum wall board, 

added in 1996-2003. It is likely that gypsum wall 

board was fi rst installed around the 1960s or 1970s.

The east wall, which separates this room from 

Room 104-Northwest Offi ce, shows evidence 

of original plaster on wood lath. A section of 

gypsum board was removed to reveal an original 

stud. The stud shows lime stains and nail holes for 
National Park Service 71

 Part I.C - Physical Description

lath, indicating this wall had plaster on lath at one 

time, probably originally. No evidence of exterior 

weatherboards was observed, and the lack of a 

drip edge on the casing of the doorway between 

this room and Room 104-Northwest Offi ce also 

suggests that Room 107-Kitchen was an original 

room of the house. The south wall is the remaining 

portion of the fl ush vertical-board partition 

between this room and Room 108-Conference 

Room. The wall is covered with gypsum wall board 

on the Room 107-Kitchen side.

Figure 71, Area of gypsum board removed to reveal an 

original stud, which shows lime stains and nail holes. This 

indicates the wall had plaster on lath at one time, probably 

originally.

Ceiling

The ceiling of this room is covered with gypsum 

wall board and has a textured paint fi nish. During 

the 1970s the ceiling was lowered to its present 

height.

Doorways

There are three doorways. The fi rst leads to Room 

104-Northwest Offi ce and is on the east wall. This 

door and doorway are described in the section on 

Room 104-Northwest Offi ce. The casing of the 

door on the Room 107-Kitchen side is fl ush board. 

A brass doorknob is present, as well as a brass key 

escutcheon.

The doorway to the exterior from this room is set 

on the west wall. This doorway is described in the 

exterior features section above. Interior casing on 

the doorway is fl ush board. The door is fi tted with 

an embossed, pressed escutcheon and embossed 

doorknob on the Room 107-Kitchen side. The 

door is fi tted with a barrel lock and dead bolt. 

Figure 72, Room 107-Kitchen door to exterior with embossed, pressed escutcheon, embossed doorknob, barrel 

lock, and modern dead bolt.

A cased opening connects this room to Room 

108-Conference Room. This opening measures 

approximately 10'-7" across and has fl ush board 

casing measuring 31⁄4" by 7⁄8 ".

Windows

There are three modern windows, each measuring 

2'-6" by 3'-9". These one-over-one double-hung 

windows were installed by Zillgitt in 1996-2003. 

Two windows are on the north wall and one is on 

the west wall.

Finishes

Floors are covered with modern tiles, 8" square. 

Counters are covered with 11⁄2" square ceramic 

tiles. The shoe molding, door and window casings, 

window sash, cabinets, walls, and ceiling are 

painted. The ceiling has a textured paint surface 

applied in 1996-2003.

Mechanical Systems

There is one modern supply register located on the 

fl oor in the southeast section of the room.

Electrical Systems

On the east wall is a modern electrical panel, the 

only one in the house. A modern, battery-operated 
72 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

smoke detector made by Kidde is on the south wall. 

A three-globe, modern brass-plated chandelier 

is fi xed to the ceiling. Ivory-colored plastic plate 

covers of the 1990s are on wall switches and 

electrical outlets.

Plumbing

A modern sink and dishwasher were installed 

between 1996 and 2003.

Modern Kitchen Features

Modern wood cabinets, tile counter tops, and 

appliances were installed between 1996 and 2003.

Room 108: Conference Room

The larger, southern portion of the Rear Shed is 

occupied by this room, now used as a conference 

room. The Broward family members used it as 

their living room. Rectilinear in plan, the room 

measures approximately 25'-61⁄2 " by 15'-81⁄2 ". 

Ceiling height is the same as Room 107-Kitchen, 

measuring 12'-6" at its high end (east) and 7'-6" on 

its low end (west).

Figure 73, Room 108-Conference Room looking south.

Flooring

Pine, tongue-and-groove fl ooring measures 21⁄4" in 

width and 3⁄4" in depth. The fl oor was installed in 

1996-2003.

Baseboards

There are no baseboards in this room. A modern 

shoe molding is present.

Walls

The south and west walls are fi tted with modern 

v-groove board wainscoting measuring 31⁄4" 

in width and 40" in height. The wainscoting 

is capped with a modern chair rail. Above the 

wainscoting the walls are covered with modern 

gypsum wall board. The east wall of the room is 

covered with original weatherboard, indicating that 

this was the original west exterior wall of the Main 

Block. The north wall is 31⁄2" vertical boards with 

tongue-and-groove joinery. 

Figure 74, Room 108-Conference Room west wall.

Ceiling

The ceiling of this room is covered with gypsum 

wall board and has a textured paint fi nish.

Doorways

This room has three doorways and one large cased 

opening. The cased opening on the northeast wall 

leading from this room to Room 107–Kitchen is 

discussed in the section on Room 107-Kitchen. 

The opening has fl ush board casing, measuring 

31⁄4" by 7⁄8 ".

On the west wall is a doorway leading to the 

exterior of the house. This door and doorway 

are described above in the exterior features 

section. The casing of the doorway on the interior 

is modern fl ush board. The door is fi tted with 

modern chrome fi nish knobs on both sides and a 

dead bolt.
National Park Service 73

 Part I.C - Physical Description

Two doorways are set on the east wall. One leads 

to Room 104-Northwest Offi ce and the other leads 

to Room 102-Center Hall. Each door and doorway 

is discussed in its specifi c room section. Both of 

these doorways have fl ush board casing with a drip 

edge on the Room 108-Conference Room side, 

indicating they once led to exterior spaces. The 

casing measures 43⁄4" by 5⁄4".

Figure 75, Doorways on the east wall of Room 108-Conference Room lead to Room 104-Northwest Offi ce (left) and 

Room 102-Center Hall (right). Both doorways have fl ush 

board casing with a drip edge.

Windows

Two modern one-over-one double-hung windows 

exist on the south wall, as well as three of the same 

on the west wall. These windows measure 2'-6" by 

5'-0" and were installed 1996-2003 by Zillgitt.

Finishes

The pine fl oorboards are varnished. The shoe 

molding, door and window casings, window sash, 

crown molding, walls, wainscoting, chair rail, 

vertical boards, and weatherboard are painted. 

The ceiling has a textured paint surface applied in 

1996-2003.

Mechanical Systems

Two fl oor supply registers are set near the east wall.

Electrical Systems

In addition to ivory-colored plastic plate covers 

installed in the 1990s on wall switches and 

electrical outlets, a modern fi ve-globe ceiling fan/

light fi xture is present.

Closet

An early closet is in the northwest corner. The 

fl ooring is cut to fi t the casing and interior walls 

of the closet. The walls of this corner closet are 

constructed of 3⁄4 " by 31⁄2" tongue-and-groove 

boards, the same dimensioned boards used as 

exterior siding for the Rear Shed (now covered by 

weatherboards) and for the dividing wall between 

Room 107-Kitchen and Room 108-Conference 

Room. The horizontal boards on the west wall are 

the back side of the exterior siding, while those of 

the north wall are part of the dividing wall between 

Room 107-Kitchen and Room 108-Conference 

Room. Five triangular shelves in the closet are 

made of the same boards as the closet walls. The 

closet has a four-panel door measuring 2'-5" by 6'-

4" by 1". There are two 3" tall, three-knuckle iron 

hinges, probably original. There is a 1" diameter 

ceramic pull.

Crown Molding

A modern crown molding measuring 3⁄4" by 2" is 

on the west wall. 

Figure 76, Room 108-Conference Room closet at northwest 

corner.
74 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Room 201: Southeast Offi ce

Currently used as an offi ce, this room once served 

as a bedroom. Rectilinear in plan, this room 

measures 15'-1⁄2" by 12'-31⁄2". The ceiling height is 

10'-31⁄2 ", typical of rooms on the second fl oor.

Flooring

The pine, tongue-and-groove fl ooring is the 

original of typical size, measuring 1" by 31⁄4", laid 

east-west. 

Baseboards

The baseboards measure 71⁄2" tall and have no cap, 

due to the presence of gypsum wall board applied 

over the original plaster.

Walls

Gypsum wall board, applied over the original 

plaster in this room before 1996, remains. A wood 

bead of 1" diameter is set at each front corner of 

the chimney wall.

Ceiling

Gypsum wall board covers the ceiling; some plaster 

on wood lath may remain beneath the wall boards. 

Figure 77, Northwest oblique of Room 201-Southeast Offi ce.

Figure 78, Room 201-Southeast Offi ce looking south.

Doorways

There are two doorways in this room. The 

doorway on the north wall leads to Room 

202-Center Hall. This door is a four-panel door in 

the same style as those throughout the Main Block, 

measuring 2'-10" by 6'-9" by 11⁄4 ". The door casing 

is 5" with a 21⁄4" back band, but measures 3⁄4 " in 

depth rather than the typical early 7⁄8 ", indicating 

that this casing is a later replacement. There is a 1⁄2" 

applied stop. This face of the door is fi tted with a 

31⁄4" by 4" rim lock and brown mineral knobs, as 

well as an iron key escutcheon. A 31⁄2" brass bolt 

is also present on the Room 201-Southeast Offi ce 

side. The door is supported with two hinges typical 

of those throughout the house. The hinges are new 

three-knuckle reproductions measuring 31⁄2" in 

height. 

Figure 79, Room 201-Southeast Offi ce door to Room 

202-Center Hall, hardware.
National Park Service 75

 Part I.C - Physical Description

The second door is on the west wall and leads 

to the Zillgitt-era Room 205B-South Bathroom. 

The door is a modern reproduction of the typical 

four-panel door found throughout the house, and 

measures 2'-6" by 6'-6" by 11⁄4 ". The common 

reproduction three-knuckle hinges are present. 

The door casing is a reproduction of the original 5" 

casing with 21⁄4" back band.

Figure 80, Room 201-Southeast Offi ce door to Room 205BSouth Bathroom.

Windows

There are two window units on the east wall and 

one on the south wall. All windows measure 

6'-5" by 2'-10". Each has original 5" casing and 

a 21⁄4" back band identical to that of the original 

doorways. Window aprons are original and 

consistent. The window sash on the east wall are 

two-over-two, double-hung, while that on the 

southwest wall is six-over-six double-hung. All are 

fi tted with modern chrome-fi nish latches on the 

sash. The muntins of the east window sash were 

replaced in 1996-2003 by Zillgitt.

Finishes

The pine fl oorboards are varnished. The 

baseboards, door and window casings, window 

sash, mantel, walls, and ceiling are painted. 

Mechanical Systems

A modern, pre-painted metal ceiling supply 

register with louver, measuring 8" by 16", is near 

the fi replace.

Electrical Systems

In addition to ivory-colored plastic plate covers of 

the 1990s on wall switches and electrical outlets, a 

three-globe modern ceiling fan is present.

Fireplace

On the west wall is the fi replace with the original 

wood mantelpiece with Tudor arch. The 

mantelpiece matches that of Room 101-Reception 

Room, Room 103-Northeast Offi ce, and Room 

203-Northeast Offi ce. The fi rebox measures 

2'-61⁄2" in height and has a damper. The fi replace 

hearth is of brick and measures 4'-5" by 1'-3" and 

sits fl ush with the wood fl ooring.

Figure 81, Room 201-Southeast Offi ce fi replace and mantel.

Room 202: Center Hall

This room serves as the main hallway for the 

second fl oor, providing access to all rooms, 

including the stairway to the fi rst fl oor and the 

stairway to the Attic, as well as the front (east) 

porch. The room sits directly above Room 
76 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

102-Center Hall. The room forms an asymmetrical 

T, measuring 6'-3" across the main hall area and 

28'-41⁄2 " in total length. The ceiling height is 10'-

31⁄2 ", typical of rooms on the second fl oor.

Figure 82, Room 202-Center Hall looking west.

Figure 83, Room 202-Center Hall looking east.

Flooring

The pine, tongue-and-groove fl ooring is the 

original of typical size, measuring 1" by 31⁄4", laid 

east-west. 

Baseboards

The baseboards are the original of typical design 

for the second-fl oor rooms, measuring 7" tall with 

a 21⁄4" cap. 

Walls

The walls appear to retain original plaster, 

presumably on wood lath.

Ceiling

Gypsum wall board covers the ceiling. Some 

plaster on wood lath may remain above.

Doorways

This room has six doorways leading to the porch 

and fi ve rooms of the second fl oor. The door to 

Room 201-Southeast Offi ce is on the east end 

of the south wall. This door and doorway are 

described in the section on Room 201-Southeast 

Offi ce above. The casing of this doorway is that 

found throughout the house, measuring 5" across 

with a 21⁄4" back band. The door is fi tted with 

brown mineral knobs.

Figure 84, Room 202-Center Hall door to east porch, 

hardware.
National Park Service 77

 Part I.C - Physical Description

On the east wall is the door to the second level of 

the porch. This door and doorway are described 

in the exterior features section above. The interior 

casing of the doorway is identical to that found 

throughout the house, measuring 5" across with 

a 21⁄4" back band. The door is fi tted with brown 

mineral doorknobs, a rim lock measuring 3" by 4", 

and a 31⁄2" barrel bolt.

A doorway leading to Room 203-Northeast Offi ce 

is situated on the east side of the north wall. This 

door is in the typical four-panel style as those 

found throughout the house, measuring 2'-10" 

by 6'-10" by 11⁄4 ". The door casing is the same 

5" casing with 21⁄4" back band found throughout 

the house. The door is fi tted with brown mineral 

knobs. A 43⁄4" threshold, common throughout the 

house, is present.

The doorway at the west end of the north wall 

leads to Room 204-Northwest Offi ce. In the same 

four-panel style found throughout the house, this 

door measures 2'-10" by 6'-10" by 11⁄4 " and has the 

common 5" casing with 21⁄4" back band. The door 

has brown mineral knobs, and is held by two of the 

common three-knuckle, acorn-pin reproduction 

hinges found in the house. The typical 43⁄4" pine 

threshold is also present.

The door leading to Room 205A-North Bathroom 

is of the same four-panel style found throughout 

the house, measuring 2'-10" by 6'-10" by 11⁄4 ". The 

door casing is the same as that found throughout 

the house, measuring 5" across with a 21⁄4" back 

band. The door is supported with two of the 

typical three-knuckle, acorn-pin reproduction 

hinges found throughout the house. Brown 

mineral knobs are present on both sides.

The door leading to Room 207-Attic Stair Hall is 

set at the bottom of the east-west portion of the 

stair hall at the northwest end of Room 202-Center 

Hall. The door is in the same four-panel style 

found throughout the house, measuring 2'-0" by 

6'-51⁄2" by 1". The doorway has an applied stop. 

A rim lock with a star design is present on this 

face, measuring 31⁄8 " by 4" and fi tted with a brown 

mineral knob. A modern 2" barrel bolt is present 

on the Room 202-Center Hall side. The door is 

attached with two 3", three-knuckle reproduction 

hinges found throughout the house.

Windows

There is one window unit on the west wall. The 

window measures 6'-5" by 2'-10". The original 

5" casing and 21⁄4" back band, identical to that 

of the original doorways, is present and the 

window apron is original and consistent with 

those throughout the house. The window sash 

is six-over-six, double-hung, and the window is 

fi tted with a modern chrome-fi nish latch on the 

sash. The muntins were replaced in 1996-2003 by 

Zillgitt.

Finishes

The pine fl oorboards are varnished. The 

baseboards, door and window casings, window 

sash, plaster walls, and ceiling are painted. 

Mechanical Systems

There are no components of the mechanical 

system present in this room.

Figure 85, Room 202-Center Hall reproduction light fi xture.

Electrical Systems

A reproduction hanging light fi xture is set at the 

center of the ceiling in this room. There is also a 

battery-powered smoke detector on the north wall.
78 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Room 203: Northeast Offi ce

Currently used as an offi ce, this room once served 

as a bedroom. Rectilinear in plan, this room 

measures 15'-1⁄2" by 12'-31⁄2". The ceiling height is 

10'-31⁄2 ", typical of rooms on the second fl oor.

Flooring

The pine, tongue-and-groove fl ooring is the 

original of typical size, measuring 1" by 31⁄4", laid 

east-west. 

Baseboards

The baseboards are the original of typical design 

for the second-fl oor rooms, measuring 7" tall with 

a 21⁄4" cap. A wooden doorstop is present on the 

baseboard to the right of the door on the south 

wall.

Figure 86, Southeast oblique of Room 203-Northeast Offi ce.

Walls

The walls appear to retain original plaster, 

presumably on wood lath. A 1" diameter wood 

bead is set at each front corner of the chimney wall.

Ceiling

Gypsum wall board covers the ceiling. Some 

plaster on wood lath may remain above.

Doorways

There is one doorway in this room on the south 

wall, leading to Room 202-Center Hall. This door 

is described in the Room 202-Center Hall section 

above. The casing of this doorway is the same as 

that found throughout the house, measuring 5" 

across with a 21⁄4" back band. This face of the door 

is fi tted with mineral doorknobs and a 2" by 4" 

rim lock with thumb latch, as well as a modern 2" 

barrel lock. 

Windows

There are two window units on the east wall and 

one on the north wall. All windows measure 

6'-5" by 2'-10". Each has original 5" casing and 

21⁄4" back band identical to that of the original 

doorways. Window aprons are original and 

consistent. The window sash on the east wall are 

two-over-two, double-hung, while that on the 

north wall is six-over-six double-hung. All are 

fi tted with modern chrome-fi nish latches on the 

sash. Muntins of the six-over-six window were 

replace in 1996-2003 by Zillgitt.

Finishes

The pine fl oorboards are varnished. The 

baseboards, door and window casings, window 

sash, mantel, plaster walls, and ceiling are painted. 

Mechanical Systems

A modern, pre-painted metal supply register with 

louver, measuring 8" by 12", is on the ceiling near 

the fi replace.

Electrical Systems

In addition to ivory-colored plastic plate covers of 

the 1990s on wall switches and electrical outlets, 

a three-globe modern ceiling fan/light fi xture is 

present.

Figure 87, Room 203-Northeast Offi ce modern three-globe 

ceiling fan/light fi xture.

Fireplace

On the west wall is the fi replace, matching that of 

Room 101-Reception Room, Room 103-Northeast 

Offi ce, and Room 201-Southeast Offi ce, with 

the original wood mantelpiece with Tudor arch. 

The fi rebox measures 2'-61⁄2" in height and has 

a damper. The fi replace hearth is of brick in a 

staggered running bond pattern, measuring 4'-4" 

by 1'-2" and sits fl ush with the wood fl ooring.
National Park Service 79

 Part I.C - Physical Description

Figure 88, Room 203-Northeast Offi ce fi replace and mantel.

Room 204: Northwest Offi ce

This room originally served as a bedroom and now 

serves as an offi ce and storage space. The room is 

rectilinear in plan, measuring 12'-3" by 15'-71⁄2". 

The ceiling height is 10'-31⁄2 ", typical of rooms on 

the second fl oor.

Flooring

The pine, tongue-and-groove fl ooring is the 

original of typical size, measuring 1" by 31⁄4", laid 

east-west. 

Baseboards

The baseboards are the original of typical design 

for the second-fl oor rooms, measuring 7" tall with 

a 21⁄4" cap. 

Walls

The walls appear to retain original plaster, 

presumably on wood lath. Hairline diagonal 

cracking is visible along the east wall, adjoining the 

chimney.

Ceiling

Gypsum wall board covers the ceiling. Some 

plaster on wood lath may remain above.

Figure 89, Northeast oblique of Room 204-Northwest Offi ce.

Figure 90, Southwest oblique of Room 204-Northwest 

Offi ce.

Doorways

There are two doorways in this room, both on 

the south wall. The fi rst is on the west side of the 

south wall and leads to Room 202-Center Hall. 

This door and doorway are discussed in the Room 

202-Center Hall section above. The casing of this 

doorway is identical to that found throughout the 

house, measuring 5" across with a 21⁄4" back band. 

The door is fi tted with a rim lock with an embossed 

star design, measuring 31⁄8 " by 4", with brown 

mineral knobs. An iron key escutcheon is also 

present, but diff ers from those found elsewhere. 

The second door is on the east side of the south 

wall and leads to a closet set beneath the Attic 

stairs. This door is of the common four-panel 

style found throughout the house, measuring 2'-6" 

by 6'-0" by 11⁄4". The casing on the room side is 

the typical 5" casing with 23⁄4" back band seen 

throughout the house. Casing on the closet side 

is 43⁄4" by 3⁄4" fl ush board. The door is fi tted with 

a 3" by 4" rim lock with a star design and brown 
80 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

mineral knobs. Two of the same 3", three-knuckle 

reproduction hinges found throughout the house 

are present.

Windows

There is one window unit on the west wall and one 

on the north wall. The windows measure 6'-5" by 

2'-10". Each has original 5" casing and 21⁄4" back 

band identical to that of the original doorways. 

Window aprons are original and consistent with 

those throughout the house. The window sash 

are six-over-six double-hung. Both are fi tted with 

modern chrome-fi nish latches on the sash. The 

muntins were replaced in 1996-2003 by Zillgitt.

Figure 91, Closet of Room 204-Northwest Offi ce at south 

wall.

Finishes

The pine fl oorboards are varnished. The 

baseboards, door and window casings, window 

sash, plaster walls, and ceiling are painted. 

Mechanical Systems

A modern, pre-painted metal ceiling supply register 

with louver, measuring 8" by 12", shows much 

collected condensation.

Electrical Systems

In addition to ivory-colored plastic plate covers of 

the 1990s on wall switches and electrical outlets, 

a three-globe, fi ve-blade modern ceiling fan/light 

fi xture is present. 

Closet

An original closet is located on the southeast side 

of the room, under the stairs leading to the Attic. 

The closet has several wood boards remaining on 

the walls that were once used to support shelves. 

On both the south and north walls of the closet, 

boards measuring 7⁄8 " by 21⁄2" are present with early 

nails and hooks. Baseboards within the closet are 

6" tall plank board.

Room 205A: North Bathroom

This room is the north portion of Room 205, 

traditionally used as a bedroom. Room 205 was 

divided in 1996-2003 by Zillgitt and now serves as 

two bathrooms. Both rooms are rectilinear in plan. 

Room 205A-North Bathroom measures 7'-3" by 

8'-111⁄2". The ceiling height is 10'-4".

Figure 92, Room 205A-North Bathroom looking south.
National Park Service 81

 Part I.C - Physical Description

Flooring

The pine, tongue-and-groove fl ooring is the 

original of typical size, measuring 1" by 31⁄4 ", laid 

east-west. 

Baseboards

Flat-cut baseboards measuring 71⁄4 " in height are 

present in the room.

Walls

The walls are covered with gypsum wall board. 

The walls of the original Room 205 at east, west, 

and north, likely retain original plaster on wood 

lath behind the gypsum board.

Ceiling

Gypsum wall board covers the ceiling. Original 

plaster on wood lath may remain above. 

Condensation is apparent in the ceiling at the light 

fi xture.

Doorways

There is one doorway in this room, which leads to 

Room 202-Center Hall. This door and doorway 

are described in the section on Room 202-Center 

Hall above. The door casing on this side is 

the same as that found throughout the house, 

measuring 5" across with a 21⁄4 " back band. The 

door is fi tted with a rim lock measuring 3" by 4" 

is present with an embossed star design. Brown 

mineral knobs are present on both sides.

Finishes

The pine fl oorboards are varnished. The 

baseboards, door casing, walls, and ceiling are 

painted. The paint on the ceiling is textured. 

Mechanical System

A modern, pre-painted metal ceiling supply register 

with louver, measuring 8" by 12", is present.

Electrical System

In addition to ivory-colored plastic plate covers of 

the 1990s on wall switches and electrical outlets, a 

modern three-globe wall fi xture above the sink.

Plumbing System

In this room are a fl ush toilet, pedestal sink, and 

clawfoot bathtub.

Room 205B: South Bathroom

This room is the south portion of Room 205, 

which was once used as a bedroom. Room 205 was 

divided in 1996-2003 by Zillgitt and now serves as 

two bathrooms. Both rooms are rectilinear in plan. 

Room 205B-South Bathroom measures 7'-3" by 

9'-0". The ceiling height is 10'-4".

Flooring

The pine, tongue-and-groove fl ooring is the 

original of typical size, measuring 1" by 31⁄4", laid 

east-west. 

Baseboards

Flat-cut baseboards measuring 71⁄4 " in height are 

present in the room.

Walls

The walls are covered with gypsum wall board. 

The east, west, and south walls, which were part of 

the original Room 205, likely retain original plaster 

on wood lath behind the gypsum board.

Ceiling

Gypsum board covers the ceiling. Original plaster 

on wood lath may remain above.

Figure 93, Room 205B-South Bathroom looking west.
82 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Doorways

There is one doorway in this room leading to 

Room 201-Southeast Offi ce. This door and 

doorway are described in the section on Room 

201-Southeast Offi ce above. The casing of this 

doorway is identical to that found throughout the 

house, measuring 5" across with a 21⁄4" back band. 

An old mortise lock is present on this side with 

brown mineral knobs on both sides. 

Windows

There is one window unit on the north wall. The 

window measures 6'-5" by 2'-10" and has original 

5" casing and 21⁄4" back band identical to that of the 

original doorways. The window apron is original 

and consistent with those throughout the house. 

The window sash is six-over-six double-hung, and 

the window is fi tted with a modern chrome-fi nish 

latch on the sash. The muntins were replaced in 

1996-2003 by Zillgitt.

Finishes

The pine fl oorboards are varnished. The 

baseboards, door and window casings, window 

sash, walls, and ceiling are painted. The paint on 

the ceiling is textured. 

Figure 94, Northeast oblique of Room 205B-South 

Bathroom.

Mechanical Systems

A modern, pre-painted metal ceiling supply register 

with louver, measuring 8" by 12", is present. 

Electrical Systems

In addition to ivory-colored plastic plate covers of 

the 1990s on wall switches and electrical outlets, a 

modern three-globe wall fi xture is above the sink. 

A modern glass globe ceiling fi xture is also present. 

Plumbing Systems

A fl ush toilet, pedestal sink, and clawfoot tub are 

present. 

Room 206: Upper Stair Hall

This room includes the upper section of stairs and 

the landing for the stairway leading from the fi rst to 

second fl oor. The room is approximately 2'-111⁄2" 

wide. The stair landing measures 6'-1" by 3'-1", 

and the stair section is 5'-10" in length.

Flooring

The pine, tongue-and-groove fl ooring of the 

landing is the original of typical size, measuring 1" 

by 31⁄4", laid east-west. 

Figure 95, Stair wall and stairs of the stairway leading from 

fi rst to second fl oor, looking northwest from the landing.
National Park Service 83

 Part I.C - Physical Description

Figure 96, Room 206-Upper Stair Hall looking north.

Baseboards

The baseboards are the original of typical design 

for the second-fl oor rooms, measuring 7" tall with 

a 21⁄4" cap. 

Walls

The walls appear to retain original plaster, 

presumably on wood lath.

Ceiling

Gypsum wall board covers the ceiling. Some 

plaster on wood lath may remain above.

Doorways

There are no doorways in this room. The stair hall 

opens directly into Room 202-Center Hall.

Windows

There is one window located at the stair landing 

on the south wall. This window is described in the 

section on Room 106-Lower Stair Hall.

Finishes

The pine fl oorboards of the stair treads and the 

landing are varnished. The baseboards, stair risers, 

handrail, stair wall, door and window casings, 

window sash, walls, and ceiling are painted. 

Mechanical Systems

There are no components of the mechanical 

system present in this room.

Electrical Systems

A porcelain socket for a light bulb with a pull cord 

is present at the center of the ceiling. A batteryoperated smoke detector is on the east wall.

Stair Wall

The stair wall is described in the section on Room 

106-Lower Stair Hall above.

Handrail

A modern handrail is present on the full wall side 

of the stairs. This rail consists of a 13⁄8 " by 31⁄2" 

board applied to the wall with modern metal 

brackets supporting a 11⁄2" diameter modern wood 

handrail.

Stairs

Stairs are described in the Room 106-Lower Stair 

Hall section above.

Room 207: Attic Stair Hall

This room includes the enclosed stairs to the Attic. 

The room measures approximately 2'-5" in width. 

The stair section is 9'-33⁄4 " in length. The stairs 

span the width of the room.

Baseboards

There are no baseboards in this room.

Walls

The walls retain original plaster, presumably on 

wood lath.

Figure 97, Room 207-Attic Stair Hall facing east.
84 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Doorways

There is one door at the west wall leading to Room 

202-Center Hall. This door and doorway are 

described in the section on Room 202-Center Hall 

above. The door casing on the Room 207-Attic 

Stair Hall side is unpainted fl ush board. A metal 

doorknob is present on this face, diff ering from the 

brown mineral knob on the Room 202-Center Hall 

side. 

Windows

There are no windows in this room.

Finishes

The wood of the fl oorboards in this room is 

unpainted and unvarnished. The original plaster 

walls remain without paint.

Mechanical Systems

There are no components of the mechanical 

system present in this room.

Electrical Systems

A light fi xture within the Attic serves to light this 

room.

Stairs

The stairs have 91⁄4" treads with a 1" bull nose edge 

and 8" risers. The stair width is 2'-5" with fi fteen 

steps leading up to the Attic fl oor. 

Attic

Flooring

The fl ooring of this room is unpainted and 

unvarnished plank board, 1" thick by various 

widths. The fl oorboards run east-west, excepting 

boards that form an X across the center of the 

Attic, one board wide, each measuring 71⁄2 " wide.

Finishes

The fl oors and all surfaces of this room are 

unpainted and unvarnished.

Electrical Systems

A porcelain socket for a light bulb with a pull cord 

is present above the staircase. 

Knee Wall

A knee wall around the perimeter of the Attic is 

made up of 11⁄2 " by 41⁄2 " studs.

Figure 98, Northwest oblique of the Attic.

Figure 99, Attic looking south.

Rafters and Framing

The rafters, ridge beams, and other framing 

members of the Attic are described in the Roof 

Framing section above.
National Park Service 85

 Part I.C - Physical Description

Ladder

At the center of the Attic, is a permanent ladder 

providing access to the widow's walk and cupola. 

The ladder is made of unpainted and unvarnished 

plank board and is set at an angle on a raised base 

step, also constructed of plank board. Handrails 

attached to the base step and underside of the roof 

framing are of plank board.

Figure 100, Attic ladder to the widow's walk and cupola.

Figure 101, Hatch providing access to the widow's walk and 

cupola.

Widow's Walk Access

Access to the widow's walk and cupola is through 

a hatch in the deck of the widow's walk. This 

opening measures 4'-9" by 1'-8" and has a cover 

that overlaps the opening. It has no hinges and 

can be lifted completely off of the opening. The 

opening is fl ashed with galvanized sheet metal. The 

cover is constructed of wood and is covered by 

rolled roofi ng on the side exposed to the exterior. 

Historic Paints & Finishes

Currently, most of the exterior of the Broward 

House, both the Main Block and the Rear Shed, is 

painted white. The lone exceptions are the porch 

decks and window shutters, which are painted 

medium gray, and the cupola ceiling, which is 

light blue. On the interior, the wood fl oors are 

varnished, the wood trim is painted as are the 

plastered (or on occasion gypsum-board-covered) 

walls and ceilings. Both the exterior and the 

interior have had new fi nishes applied relatively 

recently, within the last 10 years or so.

Documentary sources do not address the fi nishes 

before the death of Governor Broward. However, 

during the course of preparing this report, two 

photographs were located that show the house 

at the time of occupancy by Governor Broward 

or shortly thereafter. One was provided by a 

Descendants Group of Governor Broward, the 

other by the daughters of Napoleon Bonaparte 

Broward III, the last child and only son of 

Governor Broward. These photographs are the 

only known images of the house during this period. 

The earlier photograph (Figure B-10), dates to 

approximately 1903, determined by the ages of the 

children, and shows a portion of the front porch. 

The other (Figure B-2), dating to about 1910-18 

by clothing historians, shows a broad view of the 

house from the southeast (but not the widow’s 

walk and cupola). Both photographs show a 

largely monochromatic paint scheme of very light 

tonal values, a front porch deck of medium tonal 

value and louvered window shutters of dark tonal 

value. There are no known images of the back of 

the house from this period (except for a partial 

view in the 1910-18 photograph), and none of the 

interior.
86 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

Paint analysis was planned both to identify 

probable paint colors, interior and exterior, during 

the Governor Broward occupancy, and to clarify 

the discrepancy of window sash designs found 

in the Main Block. Early in this project, it was 

determined that retrieving reliable paint samples 

might be problematic when the inspection of 

exterior surface conditions revealed evidence of 

the prior use of rotary sanders in a few exterior 

locations. When the sampling began, it was noted 

that the painted features were relatively crisp, 

especially for a house of 130-plus years, and that 

most samples included a small number of paint 

layers. These conditions could be explained by 

the tendency of coastal properties, especially 

second homes, to lose much of their exterior paint 

surfaces due to harsh climatic conditions, and, 

in addition, to go long periods of time, on both 

interior and exterior, between reapplication of 

fi nishes. However, interviews with former owner 

Karl Zilgitt revealed that during the 1996-2003 

repairs the interior fi nishes were removed using 

chemical strippers, and the exterior fi nishes by a 

variety of means, both mechanical and chemical. 

In addition, all six-light window sash in the Main 

Block were removed for extensive repairs off site; 

during this time they were completely stripped of 

their fi nishes.

For materials in situ, the sampling eff ort focused 

on areas with evidence of paint build-up and areas 

most likely to retain surviving paint, primarily at 

protected locations such as corners of material and 

at deep indentations of details. There were also 

several salvaged elements in storage in the attic, the 

origins of which were confi rmed by Zilgitt.

The analysis of un-stripped salvaged pieces 

confi rmed that exterior elements did indeed 

endure extensive loss of paint fi nishes between 

painting campaigns. However, there are many 

early layers of whites. Therefore, the light tonal 

value that we see in the period photographs of 

the exterior is almost certainly a white paint. And 

while there was an early yellow-green color on the 

salvaged louvered shutter, that paint was followed 

by darker blue-green paints; the dark tonal value 

of the shutters in the period photograph strongly 

suggests the blue-green color was present at that 

time. And the medium tone of the porch deck in 

both photographs may very well be a medium gray. 

The paint sample of the front entrance threshold 

was taken from a well-protected location with 

many layers of paint including an early medium 

gray. Medium gray was a highly popular color for 

porch decks in this period.

The microscopic analysis of interior paint samples 

was much less conclusive. While the sample of the 

front entrance threshold identifi ed a relatively large 

number of paint layers, the other samples were 

consistently limited in their numbers. In addition, 

the wood substrate repeatedly showed evidence 

of distress that is typical of chemical stripping 

and other paint loss. The limited information 

recovered was not suffi cient to develop fi rm 

conclusions about interior paint colors. Nor 

could reliable paint serializations be established to 

compare the installation periods of the Main Block 

window sash.

Character-Defi ning Features

The Broward House possesses a number of 

character-defi ning features, physical elements that 

are signifi cant and give the building its distinctive 

character. These features include original design 

and construction as well as alterations made 

during the historic period of the house. Characterdefi ning features should be retained and preserved.

Those identifi ed are:

• The waterfront site with surrounding yard.

• The widow's walk and cupola.

• The exterior decorative woodwork, including 

roof cornice brackets of the Main Block and 

cupola.

• The front (east) elevation double-gallery 

porch.

• The original east front doorway including 

four-panel door with arches on top panels and 

original transom.

• The original east doorway at second level of 

the porch.

• Windows on the main body of the house.

• The original four-panel wood doors of the 

interior.

• The original mantelpieces with Tudor arch on 

fi rst and second levels in the east rooms. 

• The original baseboards.

• The original window and door casings.

• The original plaster cornices of the fi rst-fl oor 

east rooms.

• The original west center exterior doorway 

from Room 102-Center Hall, now leading to 
National Park Service 87

 Part I.C - Physical Description

the Rear Shed.

• The original west exterior doorway from 

Room 104-Northwest Offi ce, now leading 

to Room 108-Conference Room of the Rear 

Shed.

• The original enclosed stairs to Attic.

• The original ladder stairs from the Attic to the 

cupola.

• The original tongue-and-groove pine fl ooring 

of the fi rst fl oor, second fl oor.

• The original pine fl ooring of the Attic.

• The original plastered walls and ceilings.

• The form of the Rear Shed.

• The vertical-board partition between Room 

107-Kitchen and Room 108-Conference 

Room.

• The corner closet in Room 108-Conference 

Room.

Physical Conditions

In general, the Broward House is in good physical 

condition. However, there are several conditions 

that could cause further damage if not addressed. 

Several of the exterior replacement elements, 

especially decorative elements, installed between 

1996 and 2003 are beginning to fail. These 

elements include porch post cladding, porch and 

widow's walk balustrade, trim pieces, fl ooring, 

shutters, other exterior elements, especially on the 

porches, widow's walk, and cupola. The materials 

and construction details of these elements promote 

water access, accelerating deterioration. Poor 

quality wood that was used is prone to warping, 

splitting, and rot. 

The balustrades of the fi rst- and second-fl oor 

porches as well as those of the widow's walk were 

constructed without proper angles and joints 

for shedding water. For this reason, wood of the 

balustrade elements is rotting and several pieces 

have detached from the balustrade.

The roofs are also problematic. Though the 

composition shingles themselves should be well 

within their expected life span, leaks are apparent 

on both the Main Block and the Rear Shed. The 

locations of these leaks (around the chimneys 

and at the connection of the Rear Shed's roof to 

the Main Block) suggest that roof fl ashing is the 

culprit.

There are also noticeable cracks in some plaster 

walls, most notably in proximity to the chimneys 

and the repaired sill on the south elevation. These 

plaster cracks may be a continuance of improperly 

supported framing, never properly remedied 

when repairs and repointing were conducted 

in 1996-2003. These plastered areas should be 

repaired (after the roof leaks are corrected) and 

their conditions monitored; if cracking reoccurs, a 

more extensive investigation of substrate should be 

conducted.
88 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR
National Park Service 89

 Part II.A - Ultimate Treatment & Use

II.A Ultimate Treatment & Use

Since its initial construction c. 1878, the house 

commonly referred to as the Napoleon Bonaparte 

Broward House has undergone several major 

manifestations in physical form. These changes 

we know primarily from investigation of physical 

building fabric, at times substantiated by 

photographs and family interviews. Historical 

documents associated with this property are few, 

in part due to the loss of records when the county 

courthouse burned in 1901.

The initial manifestation apparently consisted of 

the Main Block with a short one-story ell at the 

rear, probably an attached kitchen. The Main 

Block was then, as it is now, roughly square in 

plan, two stories in height, with a center hall on 

each fl oor level, a roof cupola, and a front double 

gallery along its entire east elevation. The form 

and interior organization match closely those 

characteristics of the Main Block today. 

A second major manifestation of form occurred 

at an unknown time when the Ell was broadened 

to span the entire west elevation, the rear of the 

house. While the earliest photographs of the 

back of the house date only to the 1950s, a 1910-

18 photograph of the front, the oldest known 

image, does show the south end of this rear shed 

enclosure in place by that time.

A third major manifestation of form came about 

after 1910-18 when the photograph mentioned 

above was taken. The fi rst-fl oor level of the front 

porch was widened about three feet on both the 

north and south sides and extended forward to 

the east about the same distance. One can deduce 

that his change and a grade raising likely occurred 

concurrent with the construction in the late 1920s 

of Heckscher Drive, the fi rst road through the area. 

The fourth major manifestation of form took 

place in a major rehabilitation by owners Karl and 

Tracy Zillgitt during the years 1996-2003. This was 

probably the most comprehensive project since 

initial construction of the house. The intent was 

to make much needed repairs at the same time 

returning the house to a closer representation of 

its earlier design. Accordingly, the form of the 

Main Block was returned to an earlier appearance, 

probably its original appearance. The fi rst-fl oor 

front porch was reconstructed in its reduced and 

almost certainly original confi guration. At the rear 

of the house, the wide one-story shed enclosure 

was left as found though the building material 

itself was largely replaced. At the cupola, some 

assumptions were made in the absence of either 

physical or documentary evidence; the simple 

frame X-brace railing was replaced with the more 

ornate balustrade design of the front porches. The 

Zillgitts also provided the conveniences important 

to a modern residence; inside, the section initially 

built as an ell was made into to a modern kitchen; 

the remainder of the rear shed was remodeled with 

new fi nish material. In addition, a second-fl oor 

bedroom was converted into two bathrooms, each 

complete with salvaged and refi nished plumbing 

fi xtures.

Period of Signifi cance

The primary signifi cance of the house is its 

association with Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, 

a prominent Florida historical fi gure of the late 

nineteenth and early twentieth century. Broward’s 

personal history is as colorful as it is compelling. 

He was orphaned at an early age. As an adult, he 

gained local prominence as a daring gunrunner 

and politician. He was elected Jacksonville city 

councilman in 1895 about the time of his exploits 

with Cuban rebels. His stature grew as he was 

elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 

1900 and then became Governor in 1904. When he 

died in 1910, he had just been elected to the United 

States Senate. 

Napoleon Bonaparte Broward’s association 

with this property spans from 1897, when he 
90 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

and his wife Annie purchased the land and its 

house from Mary Gilbert, to the time of his death 

some 13 years later. His ownership paralleled 

his rise in statewide prominence. The period of 

primary signifi cance for the house is the period 

of Napoleon Bonaparte Broward’s occupancy of 

1897–1910.

Limitations on Interpretation & 

Treatment

Three major limiting factors aff ect interpretation of 

the house during its period of primary signifi cance, 

the years 1897-1910. These factors are:

1.) Limited access to building materials:

The house was acquired by Broward apparently 

for use as a summer home. Its purchase follows 

closely upon Broward’s construction of a fi ne new 

residence in Jacksonville in 1895, the same year 

he began his political ascent. The times appeared 

prosperous for the Broward family. 

His increasingly demanding political assignments 

in Tallahassee beginning in 1900 suggest decreasing 

opportunities to enjoy his vacation house, 

especially one somewhat remote and accessible 

only by boat. Its limited use is implied by a letter 

written in 1901 when Broward’s mother Montcalm, 

living next door, wrote to ask whether Broward 

would like him to fi nd a renter for Broward’s 

“house at Pilot Town.” In contradiction, several 

photographs from the early years of the twentieth 

century show the family at the house and at the 

beach along the St. Johns River. It appears that 

while Broward’s ability to spend time at the house 

was limited, his desire to be there remained strong 

and he continued to make visits. And this house 

was where he came to rest following his grueling 

campaign for the Senate.

One can surmise that Broward’s incentive to add 

a room to the house for his growing family would 

have been strong.

Investigation of the visible physical evidence of the 

building fabric indicates the Main Block at the time 

of Broward’s death was largely intact as initially 

constructed. The 1910-18 photograph confi rms 

the pristine original exterior state as well. The 

details of the rear of the house and the Ell are not 

so clear, however. The photograph indicates the 

second major manifestation in form was in place by 

that date. But, had this change occurred prior to 

Broward’s death in 1910? The family oral history is 

mute on this point. County records prior to 1901 

that might have been helpful were destroyed in a 

fi re. 

The physical building fabric itself presents the 

best and perhaps only opportunity to determine 

whether the back addition was in place during 

Broward’s occupancy. Unfortunately, the extensive 

remodeling of the Rear Shed in the 1990s has 

either removed or now covers most of the early 

evidence. Inside the Rear Shed, inclusive of the 

original Ell, new gypsum board panels form the 

wall and ceiling surfaces, hiding the framing. 

Modern wood and tile are the respective fl ooring 

materials. Also, beneath the original Ell and the 

large room addition, where early fl oor framing 

and piers may be exposed, the building sits but 

a short distance above ground and the space is 

physically inaccessible. Access will have to be from 

above by removing new fl ooring. Regrettably, the 

removal of building fabric is beyond the scope of 

this report and these sources of early construction 

information must wait until a later date for 

investigation. Interpretation of this property 

during the Broward years will be hampered 

until building archaeology can be conducted, 

particularly at the Rear Shed.

2.) Limited evidence of historic fi nishes:

Coastal houses used primarily for seasonal 

purposes often have a limited number of fi nishes 

on both interior and the exterior surfaces, as 

fi nishes were exposed for many years between 

repeat applications and much of a coating often 

wore away. In addition, exterior surfaces are 

typically much more deteriorated due to the harsh 

conditions of moisture and salt air combined with 

sunlight.

Compounding this situation, the interior and 

exterior wood surfaces of this house were stripped 

during the Zillgitt repair work of 1996-2003. 

Chemical strippers were used primarily but there is 

evidence, too, of the use of rotary sanders.

Salvaged elements, primarily from the exterior, 

were found in the attic, and though weathered, 
National Park Service 91

 Part II.A - Ultimate Treatment & Use

did provide some evidence of fi nishes. In situ 

elements required lengthy investigation in order to 

locate evidence; often, the evidence, which often 

was minimal. Overall, the results were spotty. 

Additional investigation is desirable.

3.) Compromised integrity of site:

The collection of residences and businesses that 

make up this loosely associated coastal community 

have always been comprised of low, small-scale 

structures. In addition, there have been strong 

visual connections with the river, the beaches and 

the marshes. 

The construction in 2007 of the massive dry dock 

facility on the near bank of the river dramatically 

changed these characteristics of the community. In 

addition, the building’s location close to the road 

immediately in front of the Broward House not 

only blocked the view of the river but introduced 

a hulking presence that dwarfs its neighbors. The 

negative impact of the new building on the site and 

viewshed of this landmark cannot be overstated. 

Limitations on Use

The General Management Plan (GMP) for 

Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve was 

prepared in 1995 well before acquisition of the 

Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House. Therefore, 

the house is not addressed in the GMP.

The behemoth dry dock adversely aff ects the 

visual characteristics of the community and in so 

doing reduces the range of possible uses. With 

the dry dock’s construction, the naturalistic 

openness of site is severely compromised as are the 

opportunities for the community’s enterprises that 

traditionally trade on those amenities. Potential 

property uses have been diminished for the 

community as a whole but especially so for the 

Broward House.

Nonetheless, the Broward House itself exhibits 

much of the original characteristics that would 

be familiar to Napoleon Bonaparte Broward. 

The house remains a tangible connection 

to the life of this important Floridian and to 

the early community of Pilot Town. With 

these considerations in mind, the following 

recommendation is made.

The Recommended Ultimate Treatment is to 

rehabilitate, potentially in phases, the exterior 

and the interior of the Main Block; when 

making needed repair, replace inappropriate 

elements with verifi ably accurate reproductions 

of the primary period of signifi cance. At the 

Rear Shed including the original Ell, preserve 

both the exterior and the interior in their 

current state.

This approach would have the following 

advantages:

• Preserves character-defi ning interior and 

exterior elements of the Main Block dating to the 

building’s period of primary signifi cance.

• Improves the accuracy of interpretation by 

replacing inaccurate elements with ones consistent 

with the period of primary signifi cance.

• Establishes a very cost-eff ective approach 

to stewardship/interpretation by potentially 

implementing repairs (including restoration) 

in phases, focusing primarily on correcting the 

physical deterioration of element type (e.g. roof, 

window shutters, porch fl ooring) rather than 

correcting the historical accuracy of elements 

regardless of condition.

• Establishes a very cost-eff ective approach to 

stewardship/interpretation by focusing fi rst on the 

correcting of the easily verifi able incongruities at 

the main block and postponing for the rear shed 

the more complicated and more expensive but 

potentially less productive building archaeology.

• Uses cost-eff ective interpretive devices such as 

renderings and models to aid in interpretation of 

the Rear Shed including the Ell rather than the 

more expensive approach of reconstruction.

• Provides fl exibility of use by retaining the 

modern kitchen which provides a capacity for 

warming or cooking food.

• Provides fl exibility of use by retaining the large 

room of the Rear Shed, which provides a meeting 

space much larger than found elsewhere in the 

house.

There would be disadvantages to this approach as 

well:
92 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

• Provides a series of small phases with much less 

newsworthy events as opposed to a single-phase of 

restoration/reconstruction.

• Delays improvements in interpretation of the 

Main Block by relegating the process to one of 

piecemeal, time-consuming phases.

• Relegates the interpretation of the Rear Shed 

including the Ell to the use of models and 

renderings rather than restored elements and 

spaces that can be experienced.
National Park Service 93

 Part II.B - Requirements for Treatment

II.B Requirements for Treatment

Preparation of the General Management Plan for 

the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve 

in 1995 preceded acquisition of the Napoleon 

Bonaparte Broward House. Therefore, the 

Broward House site is not addressed in the GMP.

The Broward House is listed in The National 

Register of Historic Places. The National Park 

Service Cultural Resources Management Guideline 

(DO – 28) requires planning for the protection of 

cultural resources on park property.

In addition, Section 106 of the National Historic 

Preservation Act (NHPA) mandates that federal 

agencies, including the National Park Service, 

take into account the eff ects of their actions 

on properties listed or eligible for listing in the 

National Register of Historic Places and give 

the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation a 

reasonable opportunity to comment.

Treatment of the building and site are to be guided 

by The Secretary of Interior’s Standards for 

Historic Preservation Projects, the Americans with 

Disabilities Act, and the International Building 

Code. Threats to public life, safety, and welfare 

are to be addressed; however, because this is an 

historic building, alternatives to full legislative 

and code compliance are recommended where 

compliance would needlessly compromise the 

integrity of the historic building. 
94 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR
National Park Service 95

 Part II.C - Alternatives for Treatment

II.C Alternatives for Treatment

In addition to the Recommended Ultimate 

Treatment discussed in Section II.A above, two 

alternative treatments are discussed below.

Alternative #1: Preserve the exterior and 

the interior of the Main Block and Rear Shed 

including the original Ell as currently found.

This approach would have the following 

advantages:

• Preserves character-defi ning interior and 

exterior elements of the Main Block dating to the 

building’s period of primary signifi cance.

• Establishes a very cost-eff ective approach to 

stewardship by potentially implementing repairs 

in phases, focusing on correcting the physical 

deterioration of specifi c architectural elements 

only. 

• Uses cost-eff ective interpretive devices such as 

renderings and models to aid in the interpretation 

of the un-restored Rear Shed and Ell.

• Provides fl exibility of use by retaining the 

modern kitchen which provides a capacity for 

warming or cooking food.

• Provides fl exibility of use by retaining the large 

room of the Rear Shed, which provides a meeting 

space larger than found elsewhere in the house.

There would be disadvantages to this approach as 

well:

• Retains reconstructed historical elements such 

as the board-and-batten window shutters which 

are inappropriate for the period of primary 

signifi cance.

• Retains reconstructed historical elements 

which are appropriate to the primary period 

of signifi cance but which are poor quality 

reproductions in terms of detail and craftsmanship.

• Continues the implementation of a treatment 

that is less than historically accurate, thus providing 

a poor interpretation.

• Relegates the interpretation of the Rear Shed 

including the Ell to models and renderings rather 

than restored spaces that can be experienced. 

Alternative #2: Restore the exterior and the 

interior of the Main Block and Rear Shed 

including the Ell to the period of primary 

signifi cance, the years of occupancy by 

Napoleon Bonaparte Broward (1897–1910).

This approach would have the following 

advantages:

• Preserves and reconstructs character-defi ning 

interior and exterior elements dating to the 

building’s period of primary signifi cance.

• Improves the accuracy of interpretation by 

replacing inaccurate elements with ones consistent 

with the period of primary signifi cance.

• Potentially makes dramatic improvement 

in the interpretation by allowing the whole 

restored house (Main Block and Rear Shed) to be 

experienced without relying on models, renderings 

and other less eff ective interpretive devices. 

There would be disadvantages to this approach as 

well:

• Assumes, perhaps over ambitiously, that building 

archaeology and traditional ground archaeology 

will provide enough information to make possible 

accurate reconstructions of missing elements.

• Establishes a costly approach to stewardship by 

focusing on the historical form of the building for 

interpreting the primary period of signifi cance. 
96 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

• Replaces cost-eff ective interpretive means such 

as renderings and models with a more expensive 

approach.

• Loses the fl exibility for a wide range of uses by 

removing the modern kitchen which provides a 

capacity for warming or cooking food.
National Park Service 97

 Part II.D - Recommendations

II.D Recommendations

At fi rst glance, the current overall exterior 

appearance of the Main Block of the Broward 

House appears to be a convincingly close match of 

the earliest known image of the house as depicted 

in a 1910-18 era photograph. This exterior 

appearance is both close to the original design and 

is one that would be familiar to the house’s most 

famous occupant, Napoleon Bonaparte Broward. 

At closer inspection, however, it is apparent that 

many of the smaller aspects of construction are not 

consistent with the historical construction and are 

not acceptable to a museum-quality interpretation.

The current appearances of the Main Block, inside 

and out, are the products of a comprehensive 

eff ort in 1996-2003 to duplicate the appearance 

during Broward occupancy. The scope of work 

included the removal of the expanded fi rst-fl oor 

porch and reconstruction of the porch to its fi rst 

design. The work also included the reconstruction 

of a large number of early architectural features, 

badly deteriorated due to limited maintenance 

in preceding years. Unfortunately, the designs of 

many of those reproductions are not very accurate. 

At best, the reproductions are approximations of 

the early designs. In addition, the craftsmanship is 

not skilled and the chosen materials are frequently 

not very durable. 

On occasion, too, assumptions were made 

regarding historic elements. Most notable was 

the retention of the board-and-batten shutters 

on the side and rear elevation windows. Though 

based on shutters in place, the existing shutters are 

mid-century replacements unlike the Governor 

Broward-era designs. Of some question, also, is the 

use of the ornate railing of the cupola, duplicating 

the design of the porch railing. A much simpler 

design was in place before the 1950s, though the 

1897-1910 design is undocumented.

At the Rear Shed, a much smaller, less impressive 

and less noticeable portion of the house, the intent 

was diff erent. Rather than aiming for historical 

accuracy, the intent was to improve livability and 

minimize the frequency of future maintenance.

On the exterior of the Rear Shed particularly, 

a number of signifi cant changes were made. 

Of greatest signifi cance was the installation of 

weatherboard atop what appears to be the original 

fl ush-board siding. Also, on the west elevation, 

one door was retained; the other was replaced with 

a modern fl ush-panel door. On all three exterior 

elevations, small six-light window units were 

replaced with taller double-hung sash units of oneover-one light confi gurations. 

In general, the results on the exterior are less than 

satisfactory in terms of historical accuracy. And 

many of these elements are now failing, especially 

at the Main Block, and will require prompt 

remedial action to avoid the inevitable escalation of 

repair costs as damage progresses.

On the interior, commendably, the historic fl oor 

plans of both the Main Block and the Rear Shed 

were maintained as repairs were implemented, 

incompatible mid-century elements were removed, 

and new functions were accommodated. 

In the Main Block, the rooms underwent 

mostly cosmetic fi nishing of existing materials; 

unfortunately, the early fi nishes were largely 

stripped away in the process. The one major 

remodeling within the Main Block was the 

installation of two bathrooms on the second fl oor; 

again, commendably, the bathrooms were fi tted 

into an existing secondary bedroom without much 

disturbance to historic building fabric or intrusion 

into the spatial characteristics of the adjoining 

rooms.

In the interior of the Rear Shed, the overall 

perimeter defi nition of the two rooms was 

maintained. However, the building materials 

themselves were largely covered or replaced. 

The kitchen space was reorganized and modern 
98 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR

appliances, equipment and cabinets installed.

Throughout the house, on the exterior and the 

interior, inaccurate reproduction hardware and 

occasionally mismatched salvage hardware were 

introduced also. Salvaged and refi nished plumbing 

fi xtures and some reproduction fi xtures were 

installed in the two new bathrooms. And several 

reproduction lighting fi xtures were introduced.

Compositely, the work campaign of 1996–2003 

consisted of important repairs that made the 

building weathertight and in one way, with 

return of the front fi rst-fl oor porch, brought 

the house into closer alignment with its historic 

Napoleon Bonaparte Broward-era form. The 

work that was implemented also presents 

some challenges to future maintenance and 

interpretation eff orts. Nonetheless, the 1897–1910 

occupancy by Napoleon Bonaparte Broward is 

the period of primary signifi cance and an accurate 

representation of that time is desirable. The Main 

Block of the house, inside and out, is the best 

historical representation of the Broward era. In 

contrast, the Rear Shed retains the form but not 

many visible building materials that are consistent 

in design or scale with the house Broward knew. 

Flexibility of design to accommodate new uses 

is also desirable. The spaces of the Rear Shed 

provide the opportunities for such fl exibility. 

The large room can serve a number of functions 

for group gatherings. The modern kitchen adds 

the potential for at least warming, if not actually 

cooking foods. 

Therefore, the Recommended Ultimate Treatment 

for the Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House 

includes the rehabilitation of the exterior and the 

interior of the Main Block and the preservation of 

the exterior and interior of the Rear Shed. 

Specifi c Exterior 

Recommendations

The premature deterioration of less than accurate 

reproduction elements on the exterior of the 

Main Block presents an opportunity to correct 

replacement elements that are unacceptable as 

historical reproductions or that are used in an 

inappropriate way. Of course the new replacement 

elements should be historically accurate in design, 

well crafted to a quality comparable to those of 

the period of interpretation, and made of durable 

materials. Accordingly, the following actions 

should be taken:

• Remove the failed composition roofi ng material 

of the house and cupola roofs and replace with 

wood shingle roofi ng matching the original. 

(Samples remain in place beneath the cupola.)

• Remove eave vent and composite soffi t boards 

and replace with correctly dimensioned boards.

• Remove board-and-batten window shutters of 

the side and rear elevations and replace with the 

appropriate louvered shutters and hardware as 

documented.

• Remove the three-panel louvered window 

shutters of the fi rst-fl oor porch and replace with 

more appropriately scaled and detailed three-panel 

louvered shutters and hardware.

• Remove the two-panel louvered window shutters 

of the second-fl oor porch and replace with more 

appropriately scaled and detailed two-panel 

louvered shutters and hardware.

• Remove failing porch fl ooring of fi rst-fl oor porch 

and replace with boards of appropriate historical 

dimension.

• Replace in the Main Block poorly scaled or 

crafted hardware of doors and windows with 

hardware of appropriate scale and design matching 

building evidence.

• Reapply fi nishes according to historic paint and 

fi nish analyses.

Specifi c Interior 

Recommendations

• Maintain the modern kitchen of the Rear Shed.

• Retain the large meeting room of the Rear Shed.

• Replace in-kind sections of failed fl ooring in the 

large meeting room in the Rear Shed.
National Park Service 99

 Part II.D - Recommendations

• Retain the fi rst- and second-fl oor bathrooms.

• Replace in the Main Block reproduction 

hardware for doors and windows with hardware 

of appropriate scale and design matching building 

evidence.

• Reapply fi nishes according to historic paint and 

fi nish analyses.

General Recommendations

• Coordinate ground archaeology beneath the 

Rear Shed and building archaeology to better 

determine confi guration(s) of Ell and date(s) of 

modifi cations.

• Conduct more extensive investigation/perform 

analyses of historic paint and fi nishes.

• Conduct investigation for evidence of historic 

wallpapers.

• Prepare interpretive program according to results 

from the composite investigations.
100 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House HSR
 Appendix A

Sheet 1: Foundation Plan

Sheet 2: First Floor Plan

Sheet 3: Second Floor Plan

Sheet 4: Attic Plan

Sheet 5: Widow’s Walk Plan

Sheet 6: Details: Interior Door First Floor (Original)

Sheet 7: Details: Front Door (Original)

Sheet 8: Details: Interior Door Casing (Original), Interior Window 

 Apron (Original), Front Door Transom Bar (Original)

Sheet 9: Details: First-Floor East Rooms Cornice (Original), Stair Hall 

 Dividing Wall Cap (Original), First-Floor Baseboard 

 with Cap (Original)

Sheet 10: Details: Porch Balustrade, Fence Post

Sheet 11: Details: Exterior Weatherboard (Original), Second-Floor Porch 

 Ceiling Beadboard (Original), Porch Trim

Sheet 12: Details: Roof Bracket, Cupola Bracket

Sheet 13: Details: Shutter First-Floor East Elevation (1996-2003), 

 Board-and-Batten Shutter

Sheet 14: Details: Shutter in Attic (Assumed Original)

Sheet 15: Details: Muntins

Appendix A: 

Documentation Drawings: 

As-Found

















 Appendix B

Appendix B: 

Finishes Analysis

Napoleon Bonaparte 

Broward House

Finishes Analysis

Jacksonville, Florida

March 2010

BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC
Napoleon Bonaparte 

Broward House

Finishes Analysis

Jacksonville, Florida

Prepared For

Joseph K. Oppermann - Architect P.A.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Prepared By

Building Conservation Associates, Inc.

329 Race Street

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................1

2.0 METHODOLOGY...........................................................................................2

3.0 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS............................................................................3

4.0 CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS ...........................................8

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Sample Stratigraphies and Photomicrographs 

Appendix B: Sample List

Appendix C: Key to Sample Locations
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE BROWARD HOUSE, FLORIDA Page 1

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BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC March 2010

1.0 INTRODUCTION

At the request of Joseph Oppermann, Building Conservation Associates, Inc. (BCA) has 

prepared a finishes analysis of the Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House outside of Jacksonville, 

Florida to be included in a Historic Structure Report. 

According to the draft HSR, the Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House was built around 1878 on 

Fort George Island. The property was sold to the Broward family in 1897. Napoleon Bonaparte 

Broward owned the house until his death in 1910, and it remained in the Broward family until 

1996. At that point, the house underwent significant restoration, including the removal of the 

porch additions made in the 1910s, and replacement of damaged exterior wood elements. The 

primary goal of this analysis is to examine the paint stratigraphies of select exterior and interior 

samples to aid in the understanding of the construction chronology of the building, and to 

establish the color schemes for select features. The period of significance for the house is the 

time of Napoleon Bonaparte Broward’s ownership, 1897 – 1910.

The following report summarizes the findings of the finishes study, including identification of the 

earliest existing finish when possible. Following the introductory information regarding the study 

methodology, the report discusses the findings of the research and then makes 

recommendations for areas of additional research and restoration finishes. All mounted crosssections have been labeled and permanently housed and will be archived at BCA’s Philadelphia

office unless otherwise requested by the client.

All samples examined for this finishes analysis were provided by the client. Sample preparation 

and interpretation was performed by Marlene Goeke, BCA Staff Conservator, with assistance 

from Dorothy Krotzer, BCA Regional Director. 
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE BROWARD HOUSE, FLORIDA Page 2

Finishes Analysis

BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC March 2010

2.0 METHODOLOGY

Samples were removed from the site by the client and mailed to BCA for initial examination. A 

total of 50 finish samples were removed from the interior and exterior of the building. Cursory 

examination under low magnification identified samples with multiple paint layers that were 

recommended for further investigation. A list of selected samples is included at the end of this 

report.

The selected samples were mounted in a commercial polyester/methacrylate resin polymerized 

with a methyl ethyl ketone peroxide catalyst (Bioplast®). Embedded samples were sectioned on 

a Leco® VC-50 micro-saw for microscopic examination. The sectioned samples were drypolished using a series of fine Micromesh® polishing clothes ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 grit. 

Sectioned samples were observed under a Nikon 50i compound microscope in both visible light 

filtered through a daylight correction filter and ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light was 

generated by a mercury illumination system filtered through a violet filter cube (EF4 V-2A 

Ex400/40 Dm430 Bar 450). Photomicrographs of representative samples were taken using a 5 

mega pixel Nikon DigiSight color digital camera system and are included in this report to 

illustrate specific observations.

Once the stratigraphies of every sample were deciphered, significant paint layers were identified 

and, when necessary, raw samples were manipulated in order to expose these layers for color 

matching purposes. The exposed layers were visually matched to the Munsell Color system and 

the commercial Benjamin Moore paint palette using a daylight simulating light source. All color 

matches are included in the Conclusions and Recommendations section of this report and 

stratigraphies for each sample are included in Appendix A.
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE BROWARD HOUSE, FLORIDA Page 3

Finishes Analysis

BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC March 2010

3.0 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

The client indicated that coastal house are rarely painted and that the harsh climate often 

damages both the wood substrate and the paint layers. This was found to be the case for the 

paint samples taken from the Broward House. Overall, most samples appear to have a small 

number of layers for the age of the house. Many of the substrates and paint layers also appear to 

be distressed in cross-section, either from early paint stripping or extreme weather conditions. 

This makes determination of early paint layers difficult as the evidence may be missing. In 

addition, painting over distressed layers can result in paint leaks from later layers down through 

earlier layers, further complicating the interpretation of the stratigraphy. In all cases, the first 

layer identified is the earliest existing paint layer, but is not necessarily the earliest finish. 

The client identified four main goals for this paint analysis:

• Comparison of Sash Types: Determine if the 2-over-2 light window sashes at the front of 

the house date to the same period as the 6-over-6 light windows sashes on the rest of 

the house. 

• Comparison of Window 209 to other windows: Determine if the 2-over-2 sash and opening 

of window 209 is original.

• Exterior Colors: Determine the exterior paint colors.

• Interior Colors: Determine the interior paint colors.

Fifteen samples were selected by the client for cross-sectional analysis to achieve these goals 

and the findings are discussed below. In some cases, several pieces of each sample were set and 

examined to ensure that the most complete portion of the sample was analyzed. Photographs of 

each sample and their stratigraphies can be found in Appendix A. 

Comparison of Sash Types

The windows on the east elevation have 2-over-2 sash, while the rest of the building has 6-over6 sash (with the exception of W209). To determine if the 2-over-2 sash date to the same period 

as the 6-over-6 windows, samples from several windows were examined for comparison. 

Sample 45 was taken from W203 (2-over-2 sash) on the east elevation. Sample 46 was taken 

from W205 (6-over-6 sash) on the north elevation. Both samples were taken from the interior. 

The two windows are both in Room 203 and would be expected to have similar stratigraphies if 

they were installed at the same time. However, as described above, it is difficult to determine 

the exact layer number of layers for these samples because the paint is distressed and only 

partial layers remain in some places.

Cross-section analysis revealed three main observations. The first observation is that the 

substrate of Sample 46 (the 6-over-6 sash) looks like it may have been stripped. The surface of 

this sample's substrate is rough and the earliest off-white paint layer has seeped into the wood

cells. This indicates that the surface of the wood was either exposed for a period of time or 

stripped before application of the earliest paint layer, suggesting it may be older than Sample 45 

(the 2-over-2 sash). However, additional samples would have to be examined for evidence of a 

stripped/weathered surface in order to confirm this.
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE BROWARD HOUSE, FLORIDA Page 4

Finishes Analysis

BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC March 2010

The second observation is that the samples contain essentially the same paint layers. They 

clearly share a common green layer (layer 4 on the paint stratigraphy sheets). Working 

backwards from the green layer to the substrate, they appear to have the same number of 

layers.

The third observation is that the earliest existing paint layers on both samples are off-white in 

color. Although it is unclear if the earliest existing paint layers on these two samples are original, 

they are consistently off-white in color.

Comparison of Window 209 to other windows

Window 209 is found at the landing between the first and second floors on the south elevation. 

It is the only 2-over-2 window on the north, south and west elevations. To determine if window 

209 is original, a sample from its casing (NBBH.50) was compared to two samples from window 

208 (NBBH.47, stile; NBBH.48, bankband), presumed to be original. Window 208 is located in 

the second floor hallway, so it is likely that the finishes for W208 are similar to W209. 

Unfortunately, sample NBBH.47 only has two paint layers, and judging from the distressed 

surface of the wood substrate, was very likely stripped. These two white paint layers 

corresponded to the last two layers in samples NBBH.48 and NBBH.50 and are therefore 

thought to be modern paints. 

In general, the paint layering sequences for sample NBBH.48 and 50 appear to be the same. The 

samples have approximately the same number of layers, but the substrates in both samples 

appeared distressed, and may be missing earlier layers. 

Sample NBBH.48 was taken from the interior casing of W208. The sample has approximately 

ten layers. The substrate and early layers of the sample are somewhat distressed, making it 

difficult to clearly identify the layering. The three earliest layers are off-white. Dirt separates 

these early layers, indicating that they were exposed for a period of time and likely represented 

three campaigns. All paint layers are essentially off-whites, with the exception of layer 4, which is 

light yellow.

The sample from the interior window casing of W209 (NBBH.50) also shows some distress at 

the substrate. It has approximately nine layers. The first layer is off-white, and is very thin. There 

is dirt and separation between the paints after this layer, indicating that this first layer may have 

been a finish layer. The next layer is also off-white with a dirt layer, probably another campaign. 

The next layer is tan and thin. The tan is similar to the tan found at layer 5 in samples NBBH.34 

and NBBH.21 (also interior window casing, but on the first floor). However, the tan layer here 

is the third layer. After the thin tan layer is a light yellow/tan, followed by several more offwhites. 

Given the lack of evidence in sample NBBH.47, it is impossible to tell if the window sash in 

W209 are original. Samples NBBH.47 and 50, however, have similar stratigraphies, sharing 

several early off-whites and a common light yellow at layer 4. However, sample NBBH.48 does 

not have the thin tan layer seen in 50. In addition, the distressed substrate in both samples 

suggests that the earlier paint layers may be missing. 
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE BROWARD HOUSE, FLORIDA Page 5

Finishes Analysis

BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC March 2010

It should also be noted that Sample NBBH.47 contains remnants of a very thin, resinous layer 

that has seeped into the surface of the wood. This resinous layer, which is clear and light brown 

in color, was seen in many samples removed from both the interior and exterior. It is not 

always found directly on the wood’s surface, sometimes appearing later in the layering sequence. 

This layer appears to be a clear coating that was applied as a sealer over weathered or 

otherwise distressed surfaces before re-painting. 

Exterior Colors

Nearly all of the exterior samples at the Broward House have distressed wood substrates. All of 

the early paint layers of the exterior samples are shades of white or cream, with the exception 

of the salvaged shutter (front version, NBBH.03). This sample has four visible layers, although 

some are only partial layers and the wood appears highly weathered. The earliest layer on the 

shutter sample appears to be a yellow-green. It has seeped into the wood substrate, and only 

exists in small traces on the sample. The other three layers are blue-greens. The fact that the 

yellow-green has seeped deep into the wood surface implies that the wood was already 

weathered before the green was applied. It is probably not the original finish on the shutters, 

but is likely an early paint finish. 

The salvaged beaded board (sample NBBH.05) also has some later green layers, but the green is 

lighter than the green found on the shutter and fluoresced differently. It has a total of 9 layers. 

The early layers are off-whites and light gray. The green is found at the fourth or fifth layer. 

From cross-section examination, it appears that the green leaked through cracks in the early 

layers and in some places appears to be on the surface of the wood. Examination of the bulk 

samples revealed that the green is found on most of the surfaces of the wood. However, the 

damage to the off-white layers indicates that the green had been painted over earlier, exposed 

paints, and thus does not represent the original color. The earliest finishes are, in fact, offwhites.

The salvaged fascia and existing porch weatherboards (Samples NBBH.04 and NBBH.43, 

respectively) exhibited similar stratigraphies. Both samples have 8 layers, all off-whites. Sample 

NBBH.43 was taken from a corner, so the early layers only exist on part of the sample. Both 

appear to have an early translucent white layer that is heavily soiled. No colored layers were 

found in either sample, and likely were always painted a shade of off-white or light cream.

The front door transom bar (sample NBBH.10) also had many layers of whites and creams. 

Examination of the bulk sample revealed the resinous tan layer on the surface of the wood, then 

a layer of white. In cross-section, the previously mentioned resinous light brown coating is 

visible at later layers and appears to have leaked through to earlier layers and the surface of the 

wood. 

Sample NBBH.29 was removed from the front door threshold. Care was taken to remove the 

sample from a protected area. The sample did contain a lot of layers, but unfortunately, there 

was no substrate on the sample to be able to identify the earliest layer and only limited early 

layers remained on the sample. Two separate pieces of the sample were set in case one piece 

contained more early layers. The first layer found was a white/cream followed by two brown 

colors, which may relate to the color of adjacent floor surfaces (either the painted front porch 

or the varnished pine floor of the central hallway). Both brown layers were thin and distressed, 

suggesting they were exposed for some time, and are likely an early finish. After the browns are 
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE BROWARD HOUSE, FLORIDA Page 6

Finishes Analysis

BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC March 2010

a gray, followed by a layer of cream that contains a lot of trapped sand and dirt. The next layer 

is a resinous brown, possibly a floor varnish, followed by several layers of orangish and reddish 

browns, then whites and grays. Unfortunately, without the substrate it is impossible to 

determine the original color. 

Cursory examination of bulk samples from other salvaged exterior elements, including the 

crown molding of the entablature, an entablature bead, and a roof bracket, also contain only offwhite/cream layers. The physical evidence found in the paint samples corresponds to historic 

documentation. An early photograph of the building, taken between 1910 and 1918 (likely 

shortly after N.B. Broward’s death), confirms that the exterior trim, including the 

weatherboards, roof cornice and brackets, and porch columns and balustrade, were all light 

colors, while the exterior shutters were a dark color. (Figure 1) Another early photograph 

published in the HSR, circa1903 and during Napoleon Bonaparte Broward’s lifetime, also 

establishes the light color of the porch during the period of significance. It is possible that this 

light color is found on the rest of the building but it is not visible in the photograph. 

Interior Colors

Most of the interior samples exhibited distressed substrates, so there is a possibility that much 

of the interior woodwork was stripped of paint at some point in its life. All of early layers of the 

interior samples were shades of white or cream. Some of the interior samples exhibited color in 

later layers. 

The sample removed from the interior muntin of W203 (NBBH.42) contained all creams/whites. 

The early layers in this sample, however, are distressed, making it difficult to tell which layer is 

first. The wood substrate appears worn, and may have been stripped. The resinous light brown 

layer found in other samples was also seen on the surface of the wood and between layers, 

suggesting its use as a preparatory sealer layer in later re-painting campaigns. 

Samples NBBH.34 and NBBH.21 have similar stratigraphies. Both samples are from interior 

window casing – 21 is from the stool of W101 and 34 is from the apron of W109. Both samples 

separated before they were received, and were set as two separate samples (a and b, where a is 

the substrate and b is the paint layers). The only traces of a finish remain on sample NBBH.21a, 

and it is off-white. It may correspond to the first layer seen in NBBH.21b, also an off-white or 

cream layer. Similarly, sample NBBH.34a has a off-white layer on the wood substrate, which may 

correspond to the first off-white layer on sample NBBH.34b. The two “b” samples share similar

stratigraphies. Examination of the bulk samples reveal that that both samples have traces of a 

thin layer of white on the substrate with traces of cream on top. 
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE BROWARD HOUSE, FLORIDA Page 7

Finishes Analysis

BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC March 2010

The sample from the front door transom (interior, sample NBBH.28) has many paint layers. All 

of the layers are off-whites, creams and light tans. The surface of the wood substrate looks 

distressed (some paint had seeped into the surface), and may have been stripped. The first layer 

is a light cream, is uneven, and appears to be a finish layer from the dirt on its surface. This layer 

also has a thin coating of the resinous light brown sealer, which may have leaked from above. 

The next two layers, both off-whites, appear worn and likely were exposed as finish layers. The 

next layer, layer 4, is a light tan. This tan is fairly thick and intact. The subsequent layers are all 

light tans and creams.

As discussed above, samples from the interior window sash (NBBH.45 and NBBH.46) and casing 

(NBBH.48 and NBBH.50) all had off-white early layers. 
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE BROWARD HOUSE, FLORIDA Page 8

Finishes Analysis

BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC March 2010

4.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Numerous paint samples were examined as part of the current study in an effort to uncover 

information about the construction chronology of the Napoleon Bonaparte Broward House and 

the paint colors present on the building during its period of significance, 1897-1910. 

Unfortunately, the distressed nature of the samples prevents solid conclusions from being drawn 

about the building's historic finishes. However, some general observations can be made.

In general, the majority of the paint finishes on the interior and exterior are white or off-white 

in color. This is a trend that repeats several times (between 5 and 7 times), indicating that the 

interior and exterior wood portions of the building were painted off-white for most of the 

building's early history. The main exception to this observation is the paint color for the 

exterior shutters, which has only green paint layers. The prevalent use of white paint, combined 

with dark-colored shutters, is supported not only by the physical evidence but also the earliest 

complete photograph of the building, taken between 1910-1918, which shows the body of the 

house and its trim being a very light color (most likely white or off-white) and the shutters being 

a dark color (most likely green).

However, it is important to stress that the distressed nature of the paint and wood in the 

samples indicates that earlier layers have most likely been worn off or removed, and that the 

earliest existing paint colors may not be the original layer. Therefore, while the colors listed 

below represent the earliest existing colors on the provided samples, they do not necessarily 

relate to a particular period of the Broward House or its period of significance. 

The only photograph of the house during the Napoleon Broward period confirms the light color 

of the exterior porch trim, and it is possible that the color of the rest of the house matched the 

porch, but this has not been definitively confirmed with physical evidence. To confirm the paint 

colors for a specific time period, comparisons between known additions or later elements 

would be required. For example, samples from the rear shed addition, porch extension or the 

first-floor closet door added in the 1920s could be compared with samples from original 

features. This could help determine if those features have been stripped and aid in developing a 

better understanding of how the paint chronology relates to specific time periods based on the 

comparison of the layers.
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE BROWARD HOUSE, FLORIDA Page 9

Finishes Analysis

BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC March 2010

Exterior Colors

Shutters (salvaged)

Finish: Yellow-green

Munsell Color Match: 5G 5/6

Benjamin Moore Color Match: 566, Bunkerhill Green

Weatherboards

Finish: Off-white

Munsell Color Match: 5Y 9/1

Benjamin Moore Color Match: OC-33, Opaline

Fascia (Roof Cornice), Window Sash, Front Door Transom

Finish: Off-white

Munsell Color Match: 10Y 9/1

Benjamin Moore Color Match: OC-29, Floral White

Interior Colors

Window Sash and Casing

Finish: Off-white

Munsell Color Match: 5Y 9/1

Benjamin Moore Color Match: OC-33, Opaline

Front Door Transom

Finish: Off-white

Munsell Color Match: 10Y 9/1

Benjamin Moore Color Match: OC-29, Floral White

chip included in 

hard copy

chip included in 

hard copy

chip included in 

hard copy

chip included in 

hard copy

chip included in 

hard copy
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE BROWARD HOUSE, FLORIDA Page 10

Finishes Analysis

BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES INC March 2010

Figure 1: The earliest available photograph of the house, ca. 1915. Note the light-colored 

exterior weatherboards and trim and the dark shutters. (From the Napoleon Bonaparte 

Broward House Historic Structure Report. Photograph courtesy of Mary Weisenburgh,)

APPENDIX A.

SAMPLE STRATIGRAPHIES AND 

PHOTOMICROGRAPHS
 

 Visible light, 100x UV Light, 100x 

SAMPLE NO: NBBH.03

LOCATION: Salvaged shutter, front version

LAYER* COLOR NOTES

Substrate Wood Surface worn – stripped or weathered

1 Yellow-green Only traces – seeped into wood substrate

2 Blue-Green Uneven; does not fluoresce

Dirt

3 Blue-green Does not fluoresce

Dirt

4 Blue-green Does not fluoresce

5

6

7

8

9

1

4

3

2
 

 Visible light, 100x UV light, 100x 

SAMPLE NO: NBBH.04

LOCATION: Salvaged fascia at bead

LAYER* COLOR NOTES

Substrate Wood Looks worn – stripped or weathered

1 White Partial (visible only in UV); looks seeped into wood

2 White Looks like it may have separated from wood

3 White Partial, thin and uneven

4 White Fluoresces bright white with lots of translucent particles

5 White Fluoresces bright blue green

6 White Fluoresces blue green

7 Translucent White Possible protective coating

8 White thin

9

10

11

1

2

8

7

6

5

4

3

1

2

8

7

6

5

4

3
 

Visible light, 100x UV light, 100x

SAMPLE NO: NBBH.05(1) (1 of 2 pieces of provided sample set)

LOCATION: Salvaged beaded board

LAYER* COLOR NOTES

Substrate Wood Paint has split from substrate

1 White Partial

2 Gray Partial

3 Translucent white Partial (possible protective coating)

Dirt/separation

4 White

5 Pale green Leaked down through white layers – difficult to see early layering

6 Green

Partial separation

7 Blue-gray

8 White Traces only

Partial separation

9 Pale green
 

 Visible light, 100x UV light, 100x 

SAMPLE NO: NBBH.05(2) (1 of 2 pieces of provided sample set)

LOCATION: Salvaged beaded board

LAYER* COLOR NOTES

Substrate none

1 White Partial; cracked – grren from layer 5/6 has leaked through

Dirt

2 White Partial, thin, worn

Dirt

3 White Partial – rough, with lots of cracks and crevices

Dirt

4 Translucent tan Possible protective coating; may have leaked into earlier layers

5 Light green Partial, cracked

Dirt/Discoloration

6 Pale green Leaked down into earlier layers

7 Green thin

8 Blue-gray

9 Bright green

9

8

7

6

5

3

2

1

4

9

8

7

6

5

3

2

1
 

 Visible light, 40x UV light, 40x 

 

SAMPLE NO: NBBH.10(1) (1 of 2 pieces set from same sample)

LOCATION: East elevation, D101, front door transom bar

LAYER* COLOR NOTES LAYER COLOR NOTE

Substrate Wood Dirt

1 Cream/White Fluoresces bright white, partial 8 White

2 White Partial 9 White

Dirt Separation Leak fr

3 White Partial, thin 10 White

Dirt Dirt

4 White Partial, thin 11 White Leaked 

Dirt 12

5 White Partial, thin 13

Dirt 14

6 Translucent tan/brown Possible protective coating; leaked 

down through earlier layer

15

7 White 16

1 2 3 4

5

6

9

8

7

11

10

1 2 3 4

5

6

9

8

11

10

7
 

Visible light, 40x Visible light, 100x 

SAMPLE NO: NBBH.21b

LOCATION: Room 101, W101 stool, south end

LAYER* COLOR NOTES LAYER COLOR NOTE

Substrate Wood Separated – set separately Dirt/Discoloration

1 Cream/White 9 Blue-green

Dirt/discoloration 10 Cream/white

2 Cream/White Dirt/Discoloration

3 Translucent tan Possibly protective coating 11 Light blue-green

4 Cream 12 Cream Partial

Dirt 13 Yellow Thin

5 Light tan 14 White

6 Cream/White 15 White

Dirt/separation 16

7 Yellow Thin

8 White

1

3

2

4

3

5

3

6

3

7

3

8

3

9

3

12

113

3

10

3

13

3

14

3

3

2

5

3

6

3

7

3

8

3

9

3

12

3

10

3

13

3

14

3

15

3

11

3

1

15

3
 

 Visible light, 40x UV light, 40x 

SAMPLE NO: NBBH.28

LOCATION: Room 102, front door, interior face of transom

LAYER* COLOR NOTES LAYER COLOR NOTE

Substrate Wood Surface distressed – possibly stripped Dirt

1 Off-white/cream Thin, seeped into wood 8 Peachy cream

2 Translucent tan Possible protective coat; only traces 9 Cream

3 White Dirt

Dirt 10 Light Cream

4 White Thin, partial Dirt

Dirt 11 Cream

5 Light tan Dirt

Dirt 12 Light tan

6 Tan Dirt

Dirt/Discoloration 13 White

7 Cream 14 White

1

2

3

4

5

6

7 8

10 11

12

13

14

1

3

6

7 8

10 11

12

13

14

9 9
 

Visible light, 100x UV light, 100x 

LAYER* COLOR NOTES LAYER COLOR NOTE

Substrate None 10 Dark Red Thin, u

1 White Thin, uneven 11 White Thin, u

2 Reddish Brown Thin, uneven 12 Red Thick

3 Brown Thin, uneven Dirt/separation

4 Gray 13 Dark red partial

5 Cream/brown Full of sand Dirt/Separation

6 White Partial; fluoresces bright white 14 Red Thick

7 Resinous brown Partial; fluoresces bright yellow; full of sand 15 White*

8 Orange-tan Thick in some areas

Dirt

9 Orange Thin

Dirt

SAMPLE NO: NBBH.29(1) (1 of 2 pieces set from this sample)

LOCATION: Room 102, front door, threshold (hall side)

1

2 3

4

5

6

7

8

9 10

11

12

13

14

15

1

2 3

4

5

6

7

8

9 10

11

12

13

14

15
 

Visible light, 40x UV Light, 40x 

SAMPLE NO: NBBH.34a

LOCATION: Room 101, W109, apron trim at W end

LAYER* COLOR NOTES

Substrate Wood Looks distressed – possibly stripped; sample separated so set separately

1 Cream Very thin

Dirt

2 Cream

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1

2 1

2
 

 Visible light, 40x UV Light, 40x 

SAMPLE NO: NBBH.34b

LOCATION: Room 101, W109, apron trim at W end

LAYER* COLOR NOTES LAYER* COLOR NOTES

Substrate No substrate 11 Cream Thin, unev

1 Cream Dirt/discoloration

2 Cream 12 Translucent white Thick, une

3 Translucent tan Possible protective coat 13 White

4 Cream 14 Translucent white Thick, par

5 Light tan Thin 15 White thin

6 Cream

7 Yellow Very thin, partial

8 Cream

9 Blue-green

10 White/cream Thin, uneven

Dirt

2

7

3 6

5

4

11

10

9

8

12

13

1

2

7

3 6

5

4

12

13

1

14 14

15 15
 

 Visible light, 100x UV Light, 100x 

SAMPLE NO: NBBH.42 

LOCATION: East elevation, W203, bottom sash, interior muntin

LAYER* COLOR NOTES

Substrate Wood Worn – likely stripped

1 Off-White* Partial - difficult to tell if layer 1 or 2

2 Translucent tan* Uneven, partial – looks like it seeped into wood substrate – difficult to tell if l

3 Off-White

4 Off-White

5 White

6 White

7

8

9

10

11

2*

1*

4

3

5

6

2*

1*

4

3

5

6
 

Visible light, 40x UV Light, 40x 

SAMPLE NO: NBBH.43 

LOCATION: East elevation, porch weatherboards

LAYER* COLOR NOTES

Substrate Wood Weathered/

1 Translucent white/brown Discolored – fluoresces yellowish; only on one side of sample

2 Cream/White Only on one side of sample; thick but uneven

Dirt

3 Cream/White Only on one side of sample

Dirt

4 Cream/White

5 Cream/White

6 Light cream

7 Cream/White Very thin; partial

8 Cream/White

9

2

3

4

5

8

6

5

4

8

6

7

1

2

3

4

1
 

 Visible Light, 200x UV light, 200x 

SAMPLE NO: NBBH.45 

LOCATION: Room 203, W203, bottom sash interior muntin

LAYER* COLOR NOTES

Substrate Wood

1 White

Dirt

2 Translucent tan Possible protective coating; seeped in below layer 1

Dirt

3 White

Dirt

4 Green

5 White

6 Blueish-gray

7 White

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

*
 

 Visible light, 200x UV Light, 200x 

SAMPLE NO: NBBH.46 

LOCATION: Room 203, W205, east stile, interior

LAYER* COLOR NOTES

Substrate Wood

1 White

2 Translucent tan Possibly protective coating; seeped into earlier layer and through fracture

3 White

Dirt

4 Pale green

5 White

6

7

8

9

10

5

4

3

2

1

*

5

4

3

2

1

*
 

 Visible light, 100x UV light, 100x 

SAMPLE NO: NBBH.47

LOCATION: Room 202, W208, bottom sash interior, N stile at meeting rail

LAYER* COLOR NOTES

Substrate Wood Surface distressed – likely stripped

1 Translucent tan/cream Thin, seeped into wood

2 White Looks modern

Separation

3 White Looks modern

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

3

2

1

3

2

1
 

Visible light, 100X UV light, 100X

SAMPLE NO: NBBH.48 

LOCATION: Room 202, W208, backband, E top corner

LAYER* COLOR NOTES

Substrate Wood Looks distressed – possibly stripped

1 Off-white Partial; uneven; distressed (cracked); fluoresces bright white

Dirt

2 Off-white Uneven, distressed (cracked); fluoresces bright white

Dirt-separation

3 Grayish-white uneven

Dirt/separation

4 Light yellow Doesn’t fluoresce

5 White

6 White

7 Translucent white partial

8 White Doesn’t flouresce

9 White Fluoresces blue-green

10 White Doesn’t fluoresce

1

2

3

4

6

5

7

10

9

8

1

2

6

5

3

10

9

8
 

 Visible light, 40x UV light, 40x 

SAMPLE NO: NBBH.50 

LOCATION: W209, interior casing backband, E top corner

LAYER* COLOR NOTES

Substrate Wood Looks distressed – possibly stripped

1 Off-White Thin, fluoresces bright white

Dirt/separation

2 Off-White Fluoresces bright white

Dirt

3 Tan

4 Light yellow/tan Doesn’t fluoresce

5 White Fluoesces bright white

Dirt/separation

6 White Thin, fluoresces blue-green

7 White Extremely thin; doesn’t flouresce

8 White fluoresces blue-green

9 White Doesn’t flouresce

9

8

6

4

1

2 3

7

5

9

8

6

4

1

2 3

7

5

APPENDIX B.

SAMPLE LIST
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE BROWARD HOUSE

Fort George Island, Florida

Elevation/

Room Floor Item Description

NBBH.03 Salvaged 2nd n/a shutter, front version worn/weathered

Yellowgreen 4 blue greens (3) 

NBBH.04 Salvaged n/a fascia at bead worn/weathered

Off 

White 8 Whites (7) 

NBBH.05 Salvaged beaded board no substrate

White/ 

gray 9 greens 

NBBH.10 East 1st D101 front door transom bar worn/weathered

Off 

White 12 Whites 

NBBH.42 East 2nd W203 bottom sash exterior muntin worn/weathered

Off 

White 4 Whites 

NBBH.43 East 2nd Porch weatherboards worn/weathered

Off 

White 4 Whites 

NBBH.28

Interior - 

Room 102 1st

front door, transom interior 

face likely stripped

Off 

White 14

Light tans, creams, 

white 

NBBH.29

Interior - 

Room 102 1st

front door, door threshold (hall 

side) no substrate

Light 

Cream 16

gray, reds, oranges - 

many layers 

NBBH.34

Interior - 

Room 101 1st W109 apron trim at W end substrate separated

Light 

Cream 2/15 Tan/yellow, blue 

NBBH.21

Interior - 

Room 101 1st W101 stool, south end substrate separated

Light 

Cream 1/15

White, creams, yellow, 

blues 

NBBH.45

Interior - 

Room 203 2nd W203 bottom sash interior muntin

Light 

Cream 7 green, blue 

NBBH.46

Interior - 

Room 203 2nd W205 East stile, interior possibly stripped

Light 

Cream 5 

NBBH.47

Interior - 

Room 202 2nd W208

bottom sash interior, N stile at 

meeting rail, N end Very likely stripped

Light 

Cream 3 White (2) 

NBBH.48

Interior - 

Room 202 2nd W208

backband, interior S top 

corner possibly stripped White 10 Light blue, light yellow 

NBBH.50 Interior 2nd W209

interior casing backband, E 

top corner likely stripped

Light 

Cream 9 Tan, Light yellow 

*number of layers is approximate because of the weathered nature of the samples - some layers may have worn off

Number 

of 

Layers*

Sample 

Number

Location

Wood 

Weathered/Stripped?

Earliest 

Existing 

Color Later Colors

APPENDIX C.

KEY TO SAMPLE LOCATIONS



 Appendix C

Appendix C: 

Chain of Title
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE BROWARD HOUSE

CHAIN OF TITLE

page 1 of 2

House Property (Parcel A)

Date of

Instrument

Date

Recorded Book/Page Grantee Grantor Instrument Description Notes

7/29/2004 8/6/2004 11976/914

United States ofAmerica (National

Park Service)

The Trust for Public Land Warranty Deed Parcels A & B 2.9 acres

7/29/2004 8/6/2004 11976/911 The Trust for Public Land Karl A. Zillgitt Warranty Deed Parcels A & B

10/18/1996 10/25/1996 8468/418 Karl Zillgitt D. Broward Craig Warranty Deed Parcel A

12/27/1991 1/8/1992 7248/0138 D. Broward Craig Vivian Ann Broward Warranty Deed Parcel A Grantor retains life estate.

3/23/1989 6675/1294 Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Death Certificate

6/24/1897 3/30/1901 128/776(?) N.B. Broward Mary G. Gilbert, widow Warranty Deed Parcel A Typed abstract, no source. Deed book burned 1901.

2/28/1877 D/663 Laura M., wife of Jonathan Gilbert John Johnson and wife Ruth W. Warranty Deed Parcel A Archibald Abstract Deed book burned 1901.

Parcel B, as described in 9281/2395 (5/6/1999) and as shown on the attached 2004 Boundary Survey Map, was not added to the Broward House property until 1999

when acquired by Zillgitt from Dennis C. and Melody C. McDaid. Zillgitt sold Parcels A and B to the Trust for Public Land on 7/29/2004 (11976/911). Both parcels

were acquired by the National Park Service on 7/29/2004 (11976/914).

Parcel C, as described in 13513/1728 (9/12/2006) and as shown on the attached 2004 Boundary Survey Map, was not added to the Broward House property until

2006 when acquired by the National Park Service from Craig W. and Terasina Beene on 9/12/2006.

Parcel A is the house tract.
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE BROWARD HOUSE

CHAIN OF TITLE

page 2 of 2

Other Related Documents

Date of

Instrument

Date

Recorded Book/Page Grantee Grantor Instrument Description Notes

7/22/2004 Memo to File National Park Service Administrative Determination Concerning grave on Parcel A Not a recorded instrument.

12/3/2003 1/22/2004 11593/384 The Trust for Public Land Karl A. and Tracy Zillgitt Memorandum of Option Option to purchase 2.82 acres (Parcel A and B)

10/25/1999 10/27/1999 9450/2061 City of Jacksonville Karl A. and Tracy Zillgitt

Historic PreservationProperty Tax ExemptionCovenant

8/26/1997 8/26/1997 8707/2209 Karl Zillgitt State of Florida Notice of Commencement Parcel A

"Renovation to roof, widow'swalk, porch, back addition,

siding, and windows."

3/14/1997 3/4/1997 8559/2494 Karl Zillgitt State of Florida Notice of Commencement Parcel A "The property will be renovated significantly."

12/9/1996 12/9/1996 8500/110 Karl Zillgitt State of Florida Notice of Commencement Parcel A "The property will be renovated significantly."

6/2/1994 7865/2167 Vivian Ann Broward Death Certificate

5/ /1994 7865/2166 D. Broward Craig Vivian Ann Broward Notice of Termination of Life Estate Parcel A

1/25/1991 6/7/1991 7118/1756 Vivian A. Broward Broward Craig; Louis B./ Mary B. Weisenburgh Boundary Settlement Agreement V.B. Parcel A , L.W. Parcel B, B.C. Parcel north ofA Survey Map of 5/6/2004

10/18/1988 refers to 2471/1029 Letter Parcel A Atty to Title Ins Co.: NBB & wife believe themselves to be owners in fee simple.

7/24/1965 7/27/1965 2471/1029 Napoleon B. Broward & Vivian A. Broward Elizabeth Broward Crawford Quit‐Claim Deed Parcel A (As purchased by N.B. Broward)

10/21/1964 11/3/1964 Napoleon B. Broward and Vivian A. Broward Enid Broward Hardee Quit‐Claim Deed Parcel A (As purchased by N.B. Broward)

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE BROWARD HOUSE 

2004 BOUNDARY SURVEY MAP 

Bibliography

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Archibald Records, J.W. Archibald of the Title and Trust Company of Florida. 

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Interviews

Whitney Blausen, Costume Society of America.

Robert C. Broward, family genealogist.

Elizabeth Broward Calhoun, granddaughter of Governor Broward.

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Heckscher.

Stevens Heckscher, grandson of the Ribault Club’s Stevens Heckscher.

Elsie Broward Kienast, granddaughter of Governor Broward.

Pamela Moore, Johnson family genealogist.

John Segrest, great-grandson of Governor Broward.

Joan Severa, Costume Society of America.

Annie Lee Hardee Tate, granddaughter of Governor Broward.

Mary Broward Weisenburgh, granddaughter of Governor Broward.

Karl A. Zillgitt, former owner.

As the nation’s principal conservation agency, the 

Department of the Interior has responsibility for most 

of our nationally owned public lands and natural 

resources. This includes fostering sound use of our 

land and water resources; protecting our fish, wildlife, 

and biological diversity; preserving the environmental 

and cultural values of our national parks and 

historical places; and providing for the enjoyment of 

life through outdoor recreation. The department 

assesses our energy and mineral resources and works 

to ensure that their development is in the best 

interests of all our people by encouraging stewardship 

and citizen participation in their care. The 

department also has a major responsibility for 

American Indian reservation communities and for 

people who live in island territories under U.S. 

administration. 

006/105053 August 2010